The Israel Defense Forces resumed fighting in the city of Rafah

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) expanded the ground operation area that began a day earlier in the Gaza Strip to the southern part of this line, up to the city of Rafah near the border with Egypt. This was announced on the IDF Telegram channel on March 20, Thursday.

"In the last few hours, the Israeli Defense Forces began a ground operation in the Shabur area of Rafah," the military said. They added that they are "simultaneously continuing ground operations in the northern and central parts of Gaza." The IDF also confirmed that it had carried out airstrikes on militant positions in the Gaza Strip, stating that its goal is to "destroy terrorist infrastructure."

The IDF also reported the killing of Rashid Jajuh, head of the internal security service of the Hamas group in Gaza. He had been in this position since July 2024. His predecessor, Sami Ude, was also killed.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, over 530 people have been killed in recent days due to Israeli airstrikes and fighting.

Houthis threatened new attacks on Israeli-related ships

In Yemen, Houthis threatened to resume attacks on Israeli-related ships after the deadline they set for delivering humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip expired. This was reported by AFP on March 12.

In a statement cited by the agency, the insurgents said they intend to renew the "ban on all Israeli ships passing through the Red and Arab Seas, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden."