Israel Orders Evacuations in Central Gaza Ahead of Possible Ground Offensive

Residents and displaced Palestinians in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah have been ordered by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to evacuate immediately and move toward al-Mawasi on the Mediterranean coast. The directive, delivered via leaflets dropped over several districts on Sunday, marks the first time the IDF has issued such orders in this area during its 21-month conflict with Hamas.

The Israeli military stated that it "continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy's capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area," noting that ground troops have not yet entered these neighborhoods. The affected districts are densely populated, with many displaced people living in tents. Israeli sources told Reuters that the army has avoided ground operations in these districts due to suspicions that Hamas may be holding hostages there. Of the remaining 50 hostages believed to be in Gaza, at least 20 are thought to still be alive.

The evacuation order comes amid ongoing airstrikes and reports from Gaza health officials that more than 40 people were killed and dozens injured by Israeli fire near Gaza City's Shifa Hospital as crowds waited for UN aid deliveries on Sunday. Additional fatalities were reported at aid distribution points in the south. The UN has warned that civilians in Gaza are facing starvation and has called for increased delivery of essential goods, while incidents of Palestinians being killed while seeking aid have continued since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operations in late May. Israel maintains that its new aid distribution system is intended to prevent supplies from reaching Hamas.

The conflict began after Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Since then, more than 58,895 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are cited by the UN and other organizations as the most reliable source currently available.