IDF Ground Operation Expansion in Eastern Rafah
On March 18, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued new evacuation orders for eastern Rafah as ground operations expanded into the city center. UNRWA and Al Jazeera reported that approximately 45,000 Palestinians fled toward the coastal Al-Mawasi 'humanitarian zone' within 48 hours. The displacement was characterized by extreme chaos, with many families moving for the fifth or sixth time. The influx has overwhelmed temporary shelters and limited sanitation facilities in the designated zone.
Date: March 18, 2026
Location: Palestine
Conflict: Israel-Hamas War
Category: humanitarian
Severity: CRITICAL
Casualties reported: 12
Displaced: 45,000
Source: Al Jazeera