"Israeli Forces Seize Palestinian Area at Rafah Checkpoint"

On the 7th (local time), major foreign media outlets reported, citing the local defense force media Ami Radio, that the Israeli military has taken control of the Palestinian side area of the Rafah checkpoint, located at the southernmost part of the Gaza Strip.

The Rafah checkpoint is a passage connecting the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt, and is one of the main routes through which international humanitarian aid supplies for refugees are brought in.

This report came amid growing speculation that a ground offensive is imminent, as Israel issued evacuation orders for residents in the Rafah area the previous day and continued airstrikes. The Israeli military stated that they will "issue a statement soon."