The crossing between Gaza and Israel has been closed since the deadly Hamas attack on Israel over the weekend. Rafah is the only land crossing between the Gaza and Egypt, and the only land crossing out of Gaza while the other exit is closed.
"Earlier in the day," as reported by The Times of Israel, "a senior IDF spokesman advised Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to flee to Egypt, but the military issued a clarification shortly afterward."
The IDF acknowledged that they targeted an underground tunnel in the area of Rafah. These tunnels are used for the smuggling of weapons and equipment. The IDF neither confirmed nor denied hitting the crossing itself.
"In recent days, the IDF has been instructing the population inside of the Gaza Strip to distance themselves from designated areas. We emphasize that there is no official call by Israel for residents of the Gaza Strip to exit into Egypt," the IDF announced.
"Rafah crossing is still open. Anyone who can get out, I would advise them to get out," said IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said.
Egypt was only allowing those through who had been given authorization to leave the area. Gazans were notably upset about the closing of the crossing as Gaza has been under fired from the IDF since Palestinian terror group Hamas attacked Israel by land, air and sea on Saturday, killing hundreds of Israelis, injuring thousands, and taking up to 100 hostage.
Egypt is working with the US to send aid to Gaza, which has been under siege by Israel. Israel turned off the power to the area as well.
