Palestinian residents in Gaza City receive orders to evacuate from Israeli authorities
In a dramatic turn of events, Israel launched a military offensive in Gaza on October 7, 2023, in response to a deadly attack by Hamas that claimed the lives of 1,200 people, as per Israeli officials, and took another 250 hostage.
The offensive, which has since escalated, has been met with international concern and criticism. The UK and France have warned that the operation risks violating international humanitarian law. Germany has halted exports of weapons that could be used in Gaza, and Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, announced a ban on ships and aircraft carrying weapons to Israel from Spanish ports and airspace.
The intensification of Israel's offensive has drawn fierce criticism from Israel's traditional allies as well. The US President, Donald Trump, while expressing concern over the situation, stated that his administration is working on a new proposal to end the fighting and expects a deal to be agreed "very soon".
However, previous attempts to mediate a ceasefire have foundered on fundamental disagreements between Israel and Hamas over the terms of any deal. The campaign has caused a humanitarian catastrophe in the coastal strip and tipped part of it into famine. Local health officials report that more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed so far.
Israeli forces have stepped up their bombardment of Gaza City, destroying multiple high-rise buildings. Many people in Gaza City are now living in tents after the destruction of their homes. Youssef Farid, a resident of Gaza City, said they would probably head for central Gaza but added that rents there are too expensive for his family to live in anything but a tent.
The Israeli military has ordered all residents of Gaza City to evacuate on Tuesday. This is the first time the military has told the entire city to evacuate. The offensive has displaced most of Gaza's 2.1 million population multiple times and reduced much of the enclave to rubble.
The evacuation order marks the latest intensification of Israel's 23-month campaign against Hamas. The leader of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been intensively preparing for the military operation with the aim of capturing Gaza City. He has urged the residents of Gaza City to evacuate as attacks intensify and military actions escalate.
However, criticism of Israel's offensive has also been mounting within Israel, with groups representing the families of hostages warning that the plan to seize Gaza City could endanger their relatives' lives. The offensive has been labelled as a "genocide" by some, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, a claim that Israel has vehemently denied, insisting it is complying with international law.
This ongoing conflict continues to unfold, with its impact felt far beyond the borders of Gaza and Israel. The international community watches with bated breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution that protects the lives and dignity of all those affected.
