Deir al Balah (Gaza Strip), 31 March (LaPresse) – The Israeli army has issued an evacuation order for most of the southern city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Last May Israel launched a major operation in Rafah, on the border with Egypt, leaving most of the city in ruins. Israeli forces took control of a strategic buffer zone along the border and did not withdraw as required by the ceasefire agreement. Israel has stated that it needs to maintain a presence in that area to prevent arms smuggling.
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