The Israeli military has issued a sweeping evacuation order for the entire population of Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in its ground offensive against Hamas militants.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) called on all residents to immediately leave the city via designated safe routes. The directive warns of intense and imminent military operations, urging civilians to head south towards the central Gaza Strip.
This development comes as Israeli forces continue to engage in heavy fighting with Hamas fighters in several districts across the northern city. The IDF maintains that Hamas has regrouped in areas previously cleared by Israeli troops, necessitating renewed operations.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The new evacuation order affects hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who had remained in the northern region despite previous Israeli instructions to flee. Aid organisations have expressed grave concern, noting that many residents have already been displaced multiple times since the conflict began.
"Civilians in Gaza are being told to move—again—with no guarantee of safety or return," stated a representative from a humanitarian agency operating in the region. The area faces severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies, compounding an already dire humanitarian situation.
Political Stance Hardens
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to achieving "total victory" against Hamas, despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations. In a recent address, Netanyahu stated: "We are committed to achieving our war aims, including the elimination of Hamas and the return of all our hostages."
The Prime Minister's office has confirmed that an Israeli delegation will travel to Qatar to continue discussions, though Netanyahu emphasised that any agreement must allow Israel to resume military operations until all objectives are met.
The conflict, now entering its tenth month, continues to draw international concern as casualties mount and the humanitarian situation worsens dramatically across the Gaza Strip.
