The Israeli Defence Forces on Tuesday issued a fresh advisory to the entire Gaza City, instructing all residents to evacuate immediately ahead of a major ground offensive.
This marks the first instance where a widespread evacuation order for all of Gaza City has been announced.
IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Col Avichay Adraee, said in a post on X, “The IDF is determined to defeat Hamas and will operate in the Gaza City area with great force, just as it has throughout the Strip.”
Palestinians have been told to head to the Israeli-designated humanitarian zone in the Strip’s south via the coastal road. “Remaining in the area is extremely dangerous,” Adraee warned. The announcement also included a phone number for Palestinians to “report Hamas roadblocks or attempts by its members to prevent evacuation.”
Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has threatened to raze Gaza if Hamas does not surrender, disarm, and release the hostages it has held for 23 months. “An unprecedented, devastating hurricane hit Gaza yesterday,” he said, adding that Israeli air forces destroyed more than thirty multi-storey “terror buildings.”
“Hamas targets were bombed and demolished to thwart infrastructure for observation and terror, and to pave the way for ground forces,” Katz stated, though he did not confirm how it was determined that the buildings housed Hamas members alone.
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Israeli officials have faced criticism for contradictory claims — at times saying Hamas operates from tunnels, and at other times alleging they live in high-rise buildings.
The international community has grown increasingly frustrated with what many describe as relentless propaganda campaigns. Video evidence has shown Israeli forces targeting civilians, even as officials shift blame onto Hamas.
These tactics have pushed international actors, led by France, to declare their intention to recognise Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly, in an effort to deter further Israeli expansion.
Separately, four Israeli soldiers were killed in a Hamas ambush in Gaza. The deceased were identified as Sgt Uri Lamed, Sgt Amit Arye Regev, Sgt Gadi Cotal, and Lt Matan Abramovitz.
Meanwhile, negotiations between the US envoy and the Hamas delegation appear to be heading towards deadlock. A member of the Qatari negotiating team said Hamas is likely to reject envoy Jack Witkoff’s uncompromising proposal.
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