JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli navy mentioned it had established “operational management” over the Gaza facet of the Rafah crossing within the southern Gaza Strip in a single day Monday into Tuesday. Footage broadcast on Israeli media confirmed an Israeli flag flying on the Gaza facet of the crossing, although the Israeli military refused to touch upon the flag.

On Monday night time, the Israeli navy mentioned it was finishing up “focused strikes” in jap Rafah. It mentioned 20 Hamas militants have been killed within the operation and it found three tunnel shafts. An Israeli military official mentioned the overwhelming majority of individuals positioned within the evacuation zone have left.

The crossing, simply south of Gaza Metropolis, was taken over by Israeli tanks which might be a part of an armored brigade, the Israeli Protection Forces and Palestinian officers mentioned.

Wael Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Palestinian Crossings Authority, mentioned the crossing, the principle entry of humanitarian support to the war-torn strip, was out of service.

“The entire western space (of Rafah) has turn out to be a theater of operations since yesterday. The bombardment has not stopped,” mentioned Abu Omar, including that crews have fled the services due to the bombing.