Israeli forces press Gaza offensive from North and South

Smoke rises following Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Jabalia refugee camp northern Gaza Strip, May 13, 2024. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

CAIRO (Reuters): Israeli forces pushed deep into the ruins of Gaza's northern edge on Monday (May 13) to recapture an area from Hamas fighters, while in the South, tanks and troops pushed across a highway into Rafah, leaving Palestinian civilians scrambling to find safety.

Some of the most intense fighting for weeks is raging in both the North and South. Israeli operations in Rafah, which borders Egypt, have closed a main crossing point for aid. Humanitarian groups say this has worsened an already dire situation.