Israel Directs Unprecedented Mass Relocation in Northern Gaza Anticipating a Ground Assault

The Israeli military has instructed approximately 1 million Palestinians in Gaza to vacate the northern region of the territory, according to United Nations reports. This extraordinary directive affects nearly half of the enclave’s population and precedes a potential ground operation against Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza.

The United Nations cautioned that such a massive and sudden population movement would result in catastrophic consequences. Hamas, responsible for a severe attack on Israel nearly a week ago and ongoing rocket attacks since then, criticized the directive as a stratagem, urging residents to remain in their homes.

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The evacuation directive also encompasses Gaza City, leading to extensive panic among civilians and humanitarian workers already grappling with Israeli airstrikes, an all-encompassing blockade, and a comprehensive power outage.

“The current priority is merely survival. Concerns about food, electricity, and fuel have become secondary,” stated Nebal Farsakh, a representative for the Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza City, evidently distressed.

The ongoing conflict has already resulted in over 2,800 casualties on both sides and has heightened regional tensions significantly. The possibility of mass protests after weekly Muslim prayers at sensitive religious sites in East Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank, and other locations cannot be ruled out. Recent exchanges of fire between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have also intensified fears of an expanding conflict, although the situation is currently stable on that front.

Strains were palpable in Jerusalem’s Old City following Hamas’s call for demonstrations. The Islamic Trust overseeing the disputed Al-Aqsa Mosque reported that Israeli authorities had restricted entry for Palestinian men under the age of 50.

Since a weekend assault in which Hamas operatives invaded southern Israel, killing hundreds, including children and young festival-goers, Israel has sustained its bombardment of Gaza. An additional 150 individuals have been abducted by militants and taken into Gaza. Hamas reports that 13 of these hostages, including foreign nationals, have been killed within the last 24 hours, though Israel has not immediately commented on the matter.

Israel claims that the operation aims to neutralize Hamas’ deeply entrenched military capabilities. Spokesperson Jonathan Conricus stated that the Israeli military would employ “significant force” but make considerable efforts to minimize civilian casualties.

Accusations have been long-standing against Hamas for operating within civilian zones and using residents as human shields. A large-scale evacuation would leave Hamas operatives more vulnerable to Israeli airstrikes than ever before.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, another Israeli military spokesperson, asserted that “if Hamas hinders residents from evacuating, the blame is theirs.” He stated unequivocally that the entirety of Hamas’s infrastructure would be targeted.

Meanwhile, the United Nations received an independent directive from the Israeli military, instructing all 1.1 million northern Gaza civilians to move south within 24 hours. U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed grave concerns, calling for the revocation of such orders to prevent a humanitarian disaster.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “crush” Hamas, further intensifying public anticipation of a ground offensive, although no formal announcement has been made.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent visit, along with shipments of U.S. weaponry, has been interpreted as a tacit endorsement for Israel to proceed with its retaliatory actions.

A ground offensive in the densely populated area of Gaza would likely result in a drastic escalation in casualties on both sides due to intensive urban combat.

In response, Hamas urged Palestinians to remain in their homes, accusing Israel of engaging in “psychological warfare.”

Inas Hamdan, an officer at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, expressed the prevailing confusion: “This is chaos; no one knows what to do.”

The move carries an historical and emotional weight in Gaza, as over half of its residents are descendants of refugees who fled or were expelled during the 1948 war that led to Israel’s establishment.

The United Nations reported that already at least 423,000 Gazans—nearly one-fifth of the population—have been displaced by Israeli airstrikes.

Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for the U.N. agency, indicated that international staff were relocated to southern Gaza but no plans were in place for the evacuation of its thousands of Palestinian employees and their families.

Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza, has also instituted “unprecedented measures” to safeguard its borders against any potential breach.

According to counts from both sides, Hamas’s attacks and subsequent Israeli counter-attacks have killed more than 1,300 people in Israel and over 1,530 in Gaza. Israel asserts that a large number of the casualties in Gaza are Hamas militants.

Israel stated that the total blockade of Gaza will continue until the abducted hostages are released. “Not one utility will be restored until the Israeli hostages are back,” declared Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz.

Report Contributors:
Shurafa from Gaza City, Gaza Strip, and Lederer from Chicago. Additional contributions by Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem, Samya Kullab in Baghdad, and Samy Magdy in Cairo.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel-Gaza Evacuation

More about Israel-Gaza Evacuation

• United Nations Humanitarian Reports
• Israel Defense Forces Official Statements
• Hamas Official Communications
• U.S. Department of State Updates
• Regional Tensions and Implications
• Historical Context of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
• Current Casualty Reports from Both Sides
• Egypt’s Stance and Border Security Measures