The Israeli military appears poised to initiate its long-anticipated offensive on Rafah as it directs Palestinians to vacate certain areas of the southern Gaza city despite urgent warnings from allies, including the United States, about the humanitarian cost.
Find all updates from Rafah on our live blog:
![Bezalel Smotrich [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_343x193/public/media/images/482E62E9-0F84-492A-94E2-BAB863CBA0FE.jpg?h=d1cb525d&itok=0S5CD1h3 "Bezalel Smotrich [Getty]")