Palestinian residents in Gaza City were targeted with Israeli leaflets on Tuesday, instructing them to evacuate as Israel prepared to launch an assault on the area to eradicate Hamas, sparking panic and uncertainty.
The armed wing of Hamas, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a shooting that resulted in six fatalities on the outskirts of Jerusalem the day before. In response, Israel announced plans to demolish the homes of the attackers’ villages in the occupied West Bank.
With over a million Palestinians residing in Gaza City before the conflict, the inhabitants had been anticipating a major offensive following Israel’s strategy to deliver a decisive blow to Hamas in its presumed final strongholds.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a direct warning to Gaza residents, urging them to heed the evacuation orders. Israeli military dropped leaflets with evacuation instructions onto the rubble-strewn streets of Gaza City, where residential towers had been reduced to debris in recent days.
The evacuation directives triggered chaos and uncertainty among the city’s residents, who expressed concerns about the lack of safe havens to escape the ongoing bombardment and worsening humanitarian conditions. While some considered relocating to the south, many decided to remain in place, indicating no immediate mass exodus.
Despite enduring a week of relentless bombardment, some residents like Um Mohammad, a 55-year-old mother of six, expressed a newfound willingness to leave, opting to reunite with family members for safety.
Gaza’s health authorities declared that the main operational hospitals in the city, Al Shifa and Al Ahli, would not be evacuated, ensuring continuous medical care for patients. Since the conflict began in October 2023 with attacks from Hamas-led militants, most Palestinians in Gaza have experienced multiple displacements.
According to Israeli reports, the subsequent military response has resulted in the deaths of over 64,000 Palestinians, with widespread internal displacement, extensive destruction, and a deepening hunger crisis plaguing the region.
Instructing Gaza City residents to relocate to a designated “humanitarian zone” in the overcrowded Al-Mawasi area along the southern coast, the Israeli military has intensified its operations. The looming threat of a full-scale assault by Israel prompted residents like Um Samed, a 59-year-old mother of five, to face a dire choice between staying in Gaza City or following evacuation orders to the south.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued stark warnings of an impending military offensive if Hamas failed to release the remaining hostages and surrender. The mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists for a potential ground operation signaled Israel’s escalating readiness for a significant campaign in Gaza City.
While the commencement of a large-scale assault was not imminent, the Israeli military affirmed its control over 40% of Gaza City’s periphery. The looming offensive could complicate ongoing ceasefire negotiations aimed at ending the protracted conflict.
As international condemnation of Israel’s actions in Gaza mounts, several European countries have expressed intentions to recognize Palestinian statehood, defying objections from Israel and the United States. Criticism over Israel’s plan to demilitarize Gaza and assume security control has raised concerns about exacerbating the humanitarian crisis for the millions of Palestinians in the region.
Facing pressure from global entities over its conduct, Israel’s determination to defeat Hamas remains steadfast, with the militant group insisting on disarmament only in the context of establishing an independent Palestinian state. Amid escalating tensions, a flotilla seeking to breach Israel’s naval blockade and deliver aid to Gaza reported an incident where one of its vessels was hit by a drone in Tunisia.
Greta Thunberg, a prominent Swedish activist, is part of the flotilla’s efforts to reach Gaza, highlighting the ongoing international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions in the region.
