Image Creator: Ashraf Amra, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO, via Wikimedia Commons
Israel has issued a full evacuation order for Gaza City as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned residents to leave immediately, signaling an intensification of military operations in the area and raising international concern over the humanitarian situation.
The Israeli military has instructed all residents of Gaza City to evacuate, warning that remaining in the city poses extreme danger due to impending ground operations. The announcement follows the government’s approval of a plan to take control of Gaza City—a move described as a decisive step in Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hamas, which has been active in the territory since October 2023. People have been told to move south to Al-Mawasi, a coastal zone designated as a humanitarian area by Israel.
Netanyahu’s Direct Warning
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a stark video address, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and warning of a “mighty hurricane” about to strike Gaza City if hostages are not released and Hamas does not surrender. Netanyahu declared that Israeli forces had already destroyed over 50 buildings identified as terrorist sites, and signaled that this was just the beginning of a broader ground assault. His statements came amid heightened tensions following recent attacks in Jerusalem, further fueling urgency behind Israel’s military maneuvers.
Civilian Response and Humanitarian Situation
Despite the evacuation directive, many civilians expressed reluctance or inability to leave, citing uncertainty over safety and limited capacity in designated humanitarian zones. Reports indicate widespread panic and confusion, as some residents believe no area within the Gaza Strip is genuinely safe. Humanitarian agencies and foreign governments have voiced concern about potential casualties and the worsening humanitarian crisis as the city faces sustained bombardment and logistical challenges in relocating large populations.
Military Objectives and International Reactions
Israel’s latest offensive targets Hamas, which seized hundreds of hostages in an earlier attack on Israeli soil. Defense officials reiterated their ultimatum, warning of total annihilation should hostages not be freed and hostilities persist. The developments come as international actors, including the United States, press for resolutions to release hostages and relieve civilian hardship, while aid organizations urge restraint amidst escalating violence.
