Israeli troops have surrounded Rafah’s Tal As-Sultan neighbourhood, the military has said, after demanding Palestinian civilians flee the area earlier, according to Al Jazeera.

In a statement, the military claimed it was rooting out Hamas military infrastructure, pursuing fighters, and expanding its “security zone” in southern Gaza. However, it said it would still allow civilians to evacuate via “organised routes”.

In an earlier notice, residents in Tal As-Sultan were told to head by foot towards southern Gaza’s Al-Mawasi.