Mass Evacuation in Rafah Following Expanded IDF Operations
On March 31, 2026, the Israeli military issued an sweeping evacuation order covering the majority of the Rafah governorate in southern Gaza. The United Nations and local monitors reported that approximately 65,000 civilians were forced to flee toward the shrinking 'humanitarian zone' of Al-Mawasi. The displacement was triggered by the announcement of a large-scale ground operation and subsequent heavy artillery shelling. Source: UN OHCHR and WAFA News Agency.
Date: March 31, 2026
Location: Palestine
Conflict: Israel-Hamas War
Category: humanitarian
Severity: CRITICAL
Casualties reported: 70
Displaced: 65,000
Source: UN OHCHR