The Israeli military has said it had taken operational control of the Palestinian side of Gaza’s southern Rafah Crossing, which borders Egypt, and that special forces were scanning the area, Reuters reports.

It said forces had been operating since last night in a specific area of eastern Rafah, from which it said most people and some international organizations had evacuated.

In an early morning press briefing, it also said Kerem Shalom crossing was closed for security reasons and will reopen once the security situation allows.