Residents of Gaza are urged to evacuate by the Israeli military
The city of Gaza, home to approximately one million people, is currently under the threat of a planned takeover by the Israeli army. In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Gaza residents to leave the city, stating, "You have been warned, get out of there."
The evacuation call, issued in Arabic, marks the first time the entire city of Gaza has been targeted, as previous calls were restricted to specific areas. The Israeli army intends to act throughout the coastal strip with "great intensity," aiming to defeat Hamas, a militant group that controls the Gaza Strip.
According to army statements, Al-Mawasi, previously designated as a "humanitarian zone" during the Gaza war, has been attacked multiple times by the Israeli military. These attacks have targeted Hamas facilities, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of the civilian population.
The Israeli army's actions have sparked concerns among aid organizations, who warn of a further deterioration of the already catastrophic situation of the civilian population in Gaza. Numerous organizations, including international NGOs such as CARE, Oxfam, and Anera, have spoken out, highlighting blocked humanitarian aid deliveries and calling for the freeing of critical supplies like food and medical goods.
Humanitarian actors like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation have initiated new distribution models to aid civilians directly, while the European Parliament, UNICEF, and the German Disaster Relief Alliance (comprising Caritas International, German Red Cross, Diakonie Disaster Relief, and UNICEF) have demanded unimpeded humanitarian assistance, protection of civilians, and access to vulnerable populations in Gaza.
In response to potential roadblocks or hindrances by Islamists while fleeing, the Israeli army has provided a number for people to contact for assistance. The army has also urged residents to evacuate to Al-Mawasi in the south for their safety.
As of now, around 100,000 Palestinians have left the area, according to Netanyahu. The Israeli government's intentions to fully militarily occupy the city of Gaza have raised global concerns, with many calling for the protection of civilians and the preservation of peace.
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