Gaza (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Israel’s military instructed residents of Gaza City to evacuate on Tuesday ahead of an upcoming offensive, after warning that it would intensify its military strikes in the area in a “mighty hurricane” if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages.
Experts have warned that capturing the city of a million Palestinians further complicates ceasefire negotiations to end the nearly two-year conflict as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right allies pursue their plan to seize what they claim are Hamas’s last two strongholds.
As reported by Reuters, the evacuation orders led to panic and confusion among Gaza City residents. Some stated they would have no option but to move south, while most others insisted they would stay, citing a lack of safe alternatives.
What does Netanyahu say about Israel’s military objectives?
Netanyahu stated that Israel had no alternative but to finish the mission and defeat Hamas, as the Palestinian militant group refused to surrender its weapons. Hamas stated it would only disarm if an independent Palestinian state were created.
Netanyahu cautioned Gaza City residents to evacuate immediately, as forces are gathering and preparing for a ground “maneuver” within the city.
“I say to the residents of Gaza, take this opportunity and listen to me carefully: you have been warned — leave now!”
Netanyahu said.
What humanitarian risks are international critics highlighting now?
International observers have warned that Israel’s proposal to demilitarise the whole strip and assume control for security purposes will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian circumstances for 2.2 million people, potentially leading to catastrophic famine.
More than half a million Gazans are at risk of famine, and UN agencies (FAO, UNICEF, WFP, WHO) have warranted that starvation, malnutrition, and unnecessary deaths, are prevalent in Gaza; the humanitarian situation is marked by extreme food shortages, crumbling health care systems, as poorly as a lack of safe drinking water, and danger to vulnerable populations like children or elderly people.
Since the start of the war with Hamas, the Israeli government has claimed it controls roughly 75% of the Gaza Strip, which is supported by a variety of documents, including Israeli statements from relevant officials and military members. The United Nations is estimating that 86-87% of Gaza is militarised, evacuated, or now under Israeli control.
