Israel Moves Deeper Into Rafah

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli forces are battling Palestinian militants across Gaza, including in parts of the devastated north that the military said it cleared months ago. Neighboring Egypt has issued its strongest objection yet to Israel’s growing offensive on the southern city of Rafah, saying it intends to formally join South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. Rafah is considered the last refuge in Gaza for more than a million civilians as well as Hamas’ last stronghold. Israel says it must invade to dismantle Hamas and return scores of hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the war.