IDF Begins Day 1 of Renewed Gaza Campaign; Evacuation Orders Issued for Eastern Rafah as Operations Resume

Israel launched the first day of its renewed large-scale Gaza military campaign on May 11, 2026 following the security cabinet's formal authorization the previous day. Israeli forces issued evacuation orders for additional areas of eastern Rafah, directing approximately 100,000 civilians to move to designated humanitarian zones ahead of anticipated IDF ground advances. The Southern Command's operational plan — prepared over several weeks — reportedly involves reoccupying Yellow Line buffer zones in southern Gaza and conducting targeted operations against Hamas battalions that had partially reconstituted during the 212-day October 2025 ceasefire. The Board of Peace announced it was halting most field monitoring activities east of the Yellow Line given the resumption of active hostilities. IDF spokespersons confirmed that operations were authorized to expand and that the 'restraint period' was over. Hamas's military wing issued a statement vowing to 'shatter the new invasion as we shattered those before it.' UN humanitarian officials said the Gaza health system — already operating at under 30% capacity with only 17 of 36 hospitals partially functional — could not absorb the trauma caseload of a new major offensive. The UN Secretary-General issued an emergency statement calling for a return to negotiations.