The Israeli military ordered the immediate and complete evacuation of Gaza City on Tuesday, demanding that all residents leave as an expanded operation to seize control intensifies.
Officials describe the city as Hamas’s final major stronghold, declaring nearly eighty percent of the territory a dangerous combat zone.
The order marks the largest displacement move in Gaza since this phase of the war began. It has triggered panic across a city that is home to approximately one million Palestinians, many of whom have already been forced to relocate multiple times over nearly two years of conflict.
Why did Israel issue a total Gaza City evacuation?
The directive was issued as Israeli forces prepared to escalate operations in Gaza City. Prime Minister Netanyahu approved a plan targeting the enclave’s largest urban center.
Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee warned residents to evacuate immediately, citing the necessity for safety as operations intensify.
Authorities expect to take full control of neighborhoods they consider key Hamas positions. According to official sources, roughly forty percent of Gaza City is already under Israeli control, with efforts expanding into Zeitoun, Sheikh Radwan, and Tuffah.
Did you know?
Gaza City is considered one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history of continuous habitation dating back at least 5,000 years.
How are residents and hospitals responding?
The evacuation order has sparked widespread anxiety among civilians. Many residents refuse to leave, reporting that previous evacuations led only to further danger and displacement. A local mother of five, Nader, stated she intends to remain in her home despite the risks.
Health authorities have begun evacuating Al Shifa and Al Ahli hospitals, Gaza City’s two main medical facilities.
Palestinian Civil Defence officials report over fifty buildings destroyed since Sunday, with hundreds more damaged during recent operations.
What is the scale of the military operation?
Israel has mobilized about sixty thousand reservists, although reports suggest turnout rates are down compared to earlier phases.
The operation aims to dismantle what the military refers to as Hamas's last urban defenses by targeting areas of Gaza City not previously reached by the IDF.
Domestic opposition is mounting, with hundreds of reservists refusing to participate, citing moral and legal objections.
Meanwhile, the IDF continues to designate vast swathes of Gaza as combat zones, forcing further civilian displacement.
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How has the international community reacted?
Global condemnation has escalated in response to the evacuation order. UN human rights chief Volker Türk accused Israel of war crimes and deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification reported confirmed famine in Gaza City, and local health officials cite rising deaths from starvation and malnutrition.
Humanitarian organizations warn that the forced evacuation and rapid military advance risk catastrophic outcomes for civilians, many of whom doubt the safety of designated humanitarian zones.
What will happen next in Gaza City?
The unprecedented evacuation has left the fate of hundreds of thousands uncertain. While the official directive aims to ensure civilian safety, ongoing reports of strikes in supposedly safe areas fuel skepticism and fear.
The coming days will test the resilience of both residents and aid groups as the conflict enters a critical new stage.
How the region copes with near-complete urban displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis will shape the course of events in Gaza and the wider conflict for weeks to come.
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