Israel intensifies action in central Gaza; operation underway in eastern Rafah

Some US Weapon , Shipments to Israel Continue , Amid Invasion of Rafah. NBC reports that United States officials say that shipments of military assistance have continued despite concerns of Israel's invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza. NBC reports that United States officials say that shipments of military assistance have continued despite concerns of Israel's invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza. Officials familiar with the matter claim that shipments of both offensive and defensive weapons have been sent to Israel in recent days. The news comes after the Biden administration threatened to suspend arms shipment over Israel's plan to invade Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians have taken refuge. The news comes after the Biden administration threatened to suspend arms shipment over Israel's plan to invade Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians have taken refuge. In response to the U.S. threat, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that his country would "stand alone" in order to pursue its goal of eliminating Hamas. In response to the U.S. threat, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that his country would "stand alone" in order to pursue its goal of eliminating Hamas. Last week, the Biden administration halted an arms shipment of bombs that were intended for Israel. . Last week, the Biden administration halted an arms shipment of bombs that were intended for Israel. . NBC reports that with no ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in sight, Israeli forces have continued its bombardment of Rafah amid ground operations. . According to the United Nations, over 100,000 people have fled from eastern Rafah since Israel issued evacuation orders earlier this week. . According to the United Nations, over 100,000 people have fled from eastern Rafah since Israel issued evacuation orders earlier this week. . Aid groups, along with doctors and local officials, have expressed growing concern that hospitals in Rafah have already been overwhelmed ahead of a feared full-scale Israeli assault. . For five days, no fuel and virtually no humanitarian aid entered the Gaza Strip, and we are scraping the bottom of the barrel, Hamish Young, UNICEF Senior Emergency Coordinator in the Gaza Strip, via NBC. According to local health officials, over 34,900 people in Gaza have been killed since Israel launched its assault following the October 7 Hamas attacks. . According to local health officials, over 34,900 people in Gaza have been killed since Israel launched its assault following the October 7 Hamas attacks.