It is the biggest such order since Israel resumed its offensive in the Palestinian territory earlier this month.

Israel's military on Monday issued sweeping evacuation orders covering Rafah and nearby areas, indicating it could soon launch another major ground operation in the Gaza Strip's southernmost city. Israel ended its ceasefire with the Hamas militant group and renewed its air and ground war earlier this month.

The Israeli military has issued sweeping evacuation orders covering most of Rafah — the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip — during Eid al-Fitr, a normally festive Muslim holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.