It is the biggest such order since Israel resumed its offensive in the Palestinian territory earlier this month.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Wednesday a major expansion of the military’s operation in Gaza involving the seizure of large areas of land that would be “incorporated into Israel’s security zones.

The Israeli military has indicated it could soon launch another major offensive in Rafah and ordered most of the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip evacuated.

The Israeli military issued evacuation orders on Monday for most of Rafah and suggested it may soon launch another ground operation in the city.

Gaza Palestinians in southern Gaza's Rafah, the subject of Israeli eviction notices, are grappling with whether to stay or leave, as passage out of the area becomes more dangerous by the hour and food supplies dwindle.

Hundreds of thousands of fleeing Gazans sought shelter on Thursday in one of the biggest mass displacements of the war, as Israeli forces advanced into the ruins of the city of Rafah, part of a newly announced 'security zone' they intend to seize.

Hundreds of thousands of fleeing Gazans sought shelter on Thursday (April 3) in one of the biggest mass displacements of the war, as Israeli forces advanced into the ruins of the city of Rafah, part of a newly announced "security zone" they intend to seize. Olivia Zollino reports.

Hundreds of thousands of Gazans have fled Rafah and sought shelter in one of the biggest mass displacements of the war.