Israel Expands Military Operations, Urges Gaza City Residents to Evacuate

Tensions in Gaza City escalated as the Israeli Army urged residents to evacuate to a designated humanitarian area in the southern region. This call for relocation comes as Israel expands its military operations with the objective of taking control of the city, which has been severely impacted by famine and violence. Nearly one million people reside in Gaza City, parts of which are already classified as “red zones,” where evacuation orders have been issued in anticipation of heavy fighting.

Avichay Adraee, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, announced on X that the area known as Muwasi—a makeshift tent camp in the southern Gaza Strip—has been declared a humanitarian zone. He called on residents of Gaza City, which Israel labels a stronghold for Hamas, to leave the combat zone. To facilitate this movement, the military indicated that individuals could travel via designated roads without undergoing searches. A map released by the military outlined the area around Khan Younis, which includes the vicinity of Nasser Hospital. Notably, while the hospital itself is not categorized as a red zone, it has been subjected to Israeli strikes, including an incident that resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals, among them Mariam Dagga, a journalist for the Associated Press.

The humanitarian area is intended to include essential services such as field hospitals, water pipelines, food supplies, and tents. An official statement indicated that relief efforts would continue in collaboration with the United Nations and other international organizations. Nonetheless, the credibility of these claims has been challenged; the Gaza health ministry reported that Israeli forces have previously targeted humanitarian areas like Muwasi, which had been labeled a safe zone.

The evacuation order was issued shortly after Israel conducted an airstrike on a high-rise building in Gaza City, alleging that it served as a surveillance site for Hamas, although no evidence has been provided to substantiate this claim. The conflict commenced on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, predominantly civilians, and the abduction of 251 people. Most of the hostages have since been released through various ceasefires and agreements.

As the conflict continues, the toll on Gaza has been severe. According to the Gaza health ministry, over 64,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the war began. The ministry has not specified the number of civilians versus combatants among the dead but estimates that women and children account for nearly half of the casualties. The United Nations and independent experts consider the Gaza health ministry to be a reliable source for war casualty statistics. The Israeli government disputes these figures but has yet to provide alternative data.

Israel has asserted that its military operations will persist until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed. The government also maintains that it will retain open-ended security control over the territory, which is home to approximately two million Palestinians. In contrast, Hamas has stated it will only consider releasing the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a comprehensive ceasefire, and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

As humanitarian conditions deteriorate and military operations intensify, the international community watches closely. The impact on civilians remains a pressing concern, with aid organizations warning that large-scale evacuations could worsen the already critical humanitarian crisis facing Gaza City.