Skip next section Israel orders evacuation of Rafah
03/31/2025March 31, 2025
Israel orders evacuation of Rafah
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has issued evacuation orders for most of the southern Gazan city of Rafah and several nearby municipalities, a spokesperson confirmed on social media Monday morning.
After the IDF ended its ceasefire deal with Hamas earlier this month, it has again in several areas of Gaza.
Rafah remains largely in ruins due to a major assault on the area last May.
Despite initially agreeing to withdraw from the area, Israel has argued that it needs to maintain a presence in the border region with Egypt to prevent weapons smuggling.
https://p.dw.com/p/4sUY4
Skip next section Netanyahu taps former navy commander to lead Shin Bet
03/31/2025March 31, 2025
Netanyahu taps former navy commander to lead Shin Bet
Israeli Prime Minister has officially nominated Eli Sharvit, a vice admiral and former navy commander, to lead Israel’s domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet.
The move comes despite . Netanyahu’s critics have called Bar’s dismissal politically motivated, because Bar was investigating links between and several of Netanyahu’s top officials.
Following a legal battle, the country’s top court put a hold on Bar’s firing but cleared the way for Netanyahu to interview new candidates.
https://p.dw.com/p/4sUY3
Skip next section Medics recover bodies of 14 first responders killed by Israeli fire
03/31/2025March 31, 2025
Medics recover bodies of 14 first responders killed by Israeli fire
The (IFRC) slammed the Israeli military on Monday for what it called the deadliest attack on its first responders since 2017.
Authorities said 15 were killed by Israeli fire on ambulances in Gaza City on March 23. Fourteen of the victims were recovered late on Sunday.
The Red Crescent said the bodies of eight of its medics, plus six members of Gaza’s civil defense agency and one UN employee, had been retrieved following an attack on ambulances in Gaza City. The body of a ninth Red Crescent worker is still missing, it added.
“The occupation’s targeting of Red Crescent medics…can only be considered a war crime punishable under international humanitarian law, which the occupation continues to violate before the eyes of the entire world,” the organization said.
IFRC secretary general Jagan Chapagain said he was “heartbroken.”
“These dedicated ambulance workers were responding to wounded people,” he said. “They were humanitarians. They wore emblems that should have protected them; their ambulances were clearly marked. They should have returned to their families; they did not.”
The Israeli military has previously said the ambulances raised suspicion by moving without prior coordination and without headlights. It did not provide evidence for these claims.
https://p.dw.com/p/4sUXl
Skip next section Gaza marks Eid among ruins03/31/2025March 31, 2025
Gaza marks Eid among ruins
The Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr began on Sunday. Marking the end of the holy month of , it is celebrated in a number of ways including feasting, family visits, gifts and visiting the graves of loved ones.
In Gaza, muted celebrations took place under Israeli bombardment for the second year in a row. Families prayed amid the rubble of their homes, a month into an Israeli blockade of humanitarian aid and food supplies into the enclave.
https://p.dw.com/p/4sUXi
The post Middle East updates: Israel orders evacuation of Rafah appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
