Israeli tanks encircle eastern half of Rafah

Israel has ordered civilians out of the eastern half of Rafah, forcing tens of thousands of people to seek shelter

Israeli soldiers work on a tank at a staging ground near the border with the Gaza Strip. Picture: AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov

Israeli tanks captured the main road dividing the eastern and western halves of Rafah on Friday, effectively encircling the entire eastern side of the city in the southern Gaza Strip.

Residents described almost constant explosions and gunfire east and northeast of the city on Friday, with intense fighting between Israeli forces and militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.