Israel Expands Gaza Ground Op to Rafah as IDF Bombing Kills Over 500, Trump Backs Fresh Assault

The Israeli military said on March 20 that it has expanded its ground operations in the southern Gaza Strip. The IDF said it troops had begun “conducting ground activity” in the Shabura area of Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city near the Egyptian border. “The troops dismantled… terrorist infrastructure,” IDF said, adding that “troops are continuing ground activity in northern and central Gaza.” Earlier, Israel said it had closed off the territory’s main north-south route as part of expanding ground operations that resumed on March 19. Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson said that movement between northern and southern Gaza is prohibited “for your safety.” Palestinians were seen fleeing south along a section of Salaheddin Road still open, near central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp. Officials in Gaza told news agencies that Israeli tanks had deployed at the junction after the withdrawal of private security contractors stationed there. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION3:16 US “FULLY BACKS” ISRAEL’S GAZA ACTIONS