The Israeli military has issued an evacuation order covering all of Gaza City for the first time in the current conflict, as it prepares to launch a ground offensive to occupy the city. Approximately 1 million residents face the choice of fleeing or remaining amid intensified bombing, despite warnings from humanitarian groups about dire consequences.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged residents to leave, describing Gaza City as Hamas's last stronghold. The military has directed people towards al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, designated as a humanitarian zone. However, only about 50,000 of the city's 1 million residents have left so far, with many sceptical of the promised safe zone after recent strikes in the area.
Aid groups have said al-Mawasi lacks capacity to absorb another wave of displacement, and the UN noted that moving south can cost over $1,000, an impossible sum for most. Six more Palestinians died from hunger on Tuesday, bringing the total famine deaths to 399. The Palestinian health ministry reported at least 83 killed in the past 24 hours.
Defence Minister Israel Katz called the current bombing 'only the introduction' and threatened a 'mighty hurricane' if Hamas does not free hostages and surrender. Talks over a US-proposed ceasefire are reportedly ongoing, with Israel demanding Hamas disarm and return hostages, while Hamas insists on an independent Palestinian state before laying down arms.
The war, now in its 23rd month, has killed at least 64,522 Palestinians, according to local authorities. It began after Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in October 2023.
