Israel Orders Evacuation of Gaza City Amid Intensified Military Operations

The Israeli military has issued a comprehensive evacuation order for Gaza City, home to approximately one million Palestinians, ahead of a planned ground offensive targeting Hamas positions. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are determined to defeat Hamas and will operate in the Gaza City area with great force. Residents have been advised to evacuate immediately via the Rashid axis toward the humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi.

Leaflets containing evacuation instructions and maps directing residents to travel westward to the coast before heading south have been distributed across northern Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the intensified ground maneuver in Gaza City is only the beginning.

The IDF has expanded its operations in recent weeks, aiming to take full control of Gaza City to dismantle Hamas infrastructure. The military reports that it now controls 40% of the city's territory.

Despite evacuation orders, as of Wednesday, only 70,000 residents—less than 10% of Gaza City's population—have relocated. A senior Israeli official noted that only 3,000 tents have entered the enclave so far, with plans to deliver 100,000 tents within three weeks to accommodate displaced individuals.

The United States and Israel plan to expand the number of aid distribution sites from four to sixteen, according to an Israeli official. However, there is no indication yet that the new sites have all been established.

Some residents have expressed reluctance to evacuate, citing a lack of safe destinations and adequate shelter. Medical staff in Gaza have stated their intention to remain at their posts, with hospitals like Shifa Hospital continuing to operate under tense conditions.

The United Nations has raised concerns that the evacuation orders could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where many residents are already facing famine and massive displacement.