Gaza City, Palestine – Amid heightened military operations in Gaza City, Israeli forces have issued evacuation orders for all residents to move south to the central Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has labeled the area a “dangerous combat zone” and instructed individuals to utilize designated safe routes leading to shelters in Deir al-Balah and al-Zawaida.
Over the past two weeks, Israeli forces have intensified their offensive, issuing evacuation orders for several areas believed to be hubs for Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) activity. The UN has expressed deep concerns over the evacuation orders and the escalating violence in the region.
Indirect negotiations for a ceasefire and a potential hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas are scheduled to resume in Qatar. Intelligence chiefs from Egypt, the US, and Israel are expected to attend the talks aimed at de-escalating the conflict.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a recent counterterrorism operation targeting Hamas and PIJ fighters inside a UN refugee agency (Unrwa) headquarters in Gaza City. The IDF reported opening a corridor for civilian evacuation before engaging in combat with the fighters within the structure.
Israeli forces have also reported the elimination of fighters in Gaza City’s eastern Shejaiya district and the dismantling of underground tunnel routes. The UN Human Rights Office has condemned IDF orders for residents to evacuate to areas experiencing military operations, further exacerbating civilian casualties.
The ongoing campaign initiated by the Israeli military followed a significant attack on southern Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages. The conflict has inflicted substantial loss of life, with thousands of people killed in Gaza since the onset of hostilities.
As talks for a ceasefire continue, residents in Gaza City remain caught in the crossfire of escalating violence, forced to navigate evacuation orders and military incursions impacting their daily lives. International concerns mount over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, underscoring the urgent need for diplomatic intervention to bring about a peaceful resolution.