The Rafah border crossing is a modest, isolated outpost at the southern end of the Gaza Strip. Yet it could be a critical lifeline as Gazans face a growing humanitarian crisis.
Israeli forces are planning a widespread offensive, but didn't say when the assault would happen. The announcement came as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians scrambled to leave northern Gaza.
The evacuation order from Israel affecting 1 million people faced immediate objections, including from the U.N., which warned such an evacuation would have "devastating humanitarian consequences."
In response to Hamas' surprise attack, Israel has put Gaza under siege and unleashed heavy bombardments. Gaza residents tell NPR there is no is no place to seek shelter, unlike in previous conflicts.
The U.S. secretary of state's trip comes as a humanitarian crisis in Gaza mounts. Palestinian officials say at least 1,350 people have died in Israel's retaliation for the deadly Hamas attacks.
The surprise attack on Israel has brought the militant group back into the spotlight. A Hamas official tells NPR the attack was meant in part to lead to the release of Palestinians in Israeli jails.
Israel carried out a fifth day of bombardments across the Gaza Strip as the Palestinian territory lost electricity, following one of the deadliest attacks against Israel in history.
The Israeli military said Sunday that it is still battling Hamas militants in several Israeli communities a day after they broke through the Gaza border to launch an unprecedented wave of attacks.