All articles tagged with #civilian evacuation
Palestinians in Gaza City are desperately fleeing as Israel launches a ground and air assault, with many facing severe congestion, destruction, and danger amid international condemnation and reports of potential genocide.
The Israeli military has warned residents of Gaza City to evacuate southward before conducting heavy strikes, including bombing a high-rise tower believed to be used by Hamas, as Israeli forces advance to capture the city amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian concerns. The operation has led to significant displacement and casualties, with international calls for a ceasefire and negotiations over hostages.
The IDF is planning to invade Gaza City but is primarily focused on preventing Hamas fighters from fleeing with civilians, which complicates military operations. Strategies include surrounding the city and evacuating civilians gradually to catch Hamas fighters off guard, learning from past incursions that either resulted in minimal conflict or significant damage and casualties. The goal is to prevent Hamas from escaping and to avoid further hostage and civilian casualties, especially if Israel aims to weaken Hamas further without risking a repeat of past mistakes.
The Israeli air force swiftly eliminated a terrorist squad that launched rockets towards Hatzerim and Be'eri, with additional strikes and arrests carried out by various IDF brigades in the Gaza Strip. The Nahal Brigade, 98th Division, Givati Brigade, 7th Brigade, and Oz Brigade were all involved in operations, including the arrest of 80 suspects from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad who attempted to hide among civilians.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) presented a plan to the War Cabinet for a military operation in Rafah, including the evacuation of Palestinian civilians and the destruction of Hamas battalions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the importance of the operation in achieving victory over Hamas, while also acknowledging the high stakes for the civilian population. Negotiations for a potential hostage deal with Hamas could delay the operation, but Israel remains committed to achieving "total victory" in the conflict.
Israel plans to continue full-scale military operations in Gaza for another six to eight weeks, with a focus on mounting a ground invasion of the southern city of Rafah to significantly damage Hamas' remaining capabilities. World leaders fear a humanitarian catastrophe as more than a million Palestinian civilians are trapped in the city, with little to no options for evacuation. Despite international pressure, Israel remains determined to proceed with the assault, while Hamas vows to continue fighting. Efforts to secure a ceasefire and release hostages have so far been unsuccessful, and the prospect of a lasting peace solution remains remote.
Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip has reached Rafah, the southernmost city, where around 1.5 million civilians are sheltering in densely populated makeshift camps. While Israel has ordered a civilian evacuation plan, details are unclear, and there is no clear destination for the displaced. The international aid community, particularly UNRWA, is being urged to cooperate, but relations with Israel are strained. With warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe, the prospect of a large-scale civilian evacuation remains uncertain, and the assault on Rafah is expected to continue for some time.
Residents of northern Gaza were seen fleeing south, waving white flags and holding identification papers, during a four-hour window allotted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for civilians to escape. The IDF has called on civilians to move south as it intensifies its assault on Hamas in Gaza City and northern Gaza. Thousands of people have fled to southern Gaza, but there are no fully protected zones in Gaza, and eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions caused by Israeli airstrikes. The UN has described conditions in its shelters as overcrowded and "inhumane," warning of a looming public health crisis. Israel says its goal is the complete elimination of Hamas, while the US has urged a humanitarian pause and warned against a reoccupation of Gaza.