Palestinians Evacuate Northern Gaza Following Israel’s Directive Amidst Imminent Ground Assault

Residents of northern Gaza hastily vacated the region after the Israeli military advised nearly 1 million people to move south in anticipation of a ground incursion. This comes a week after an unexpected attack by Hamas, the ruling faction in Gaza. The United Nations warned that the evacuation could result in catastrophic consequences for nearly half of Gaza’s population.

Roads leading south from Gaza City were congested with families in various modes of transport, laden with personal belongings, while Israeli airstrikes continued to strike the territory. According to Hamas’ media department, more than 70 individuals were killed when warplanes targeted vehicles heading south.

Israel’s military confirmed temporary incursions into Gaza to engage with militants and to search for evidence related to the 150 individuals abducted in the initial Hamas attack on Israel a week prior. Israel stated that its intent was to focus on underground Hamas facilities in the vicinity of Gaza City. However, Palestinian and some Egyptian officials expressed concern that Israel might aim to force Gaza’s populace to exit through the southern border adjoining Egypt.

The United Nations implored Israel to revoke its unprecedented evacuation directive. However, Israel reiterated its plans to target subterranean Hamas bases near Gaza City. Hamas instructed residents to disregard Israel’s evacuation order, leaving families in a dilemma over whether to stay or depart, given that there appeared to be no safe locations. Essential utilities like food, water, and power are scarce, and entire neighborhoods have been decimated by Israeli attacks.

Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza City, conveyed the overwhelming desperation: “All considerations of food, electricity, and fuel have been abandoned. The paramount concern now is survival.”

In this week-long conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry reported an estimated 1,900 fatalities, while Israel stated that the Hamas attack resulted in over 1,300 Israeli deaths, mostly civilians. Additionally, approximately 1,500 Hamas militants were reported killed in the ongoing clashes.

Israeli Forces Conduct Operations in Gaza

Friday marked the first confirmation of Israeli troops entering Gaza since Israel initiated around-the-clock airstrikes in retaliation for a mass killing of civilians in southern Israel by Hamas. Military representatives confirmed that Israeli ground forces retreated after the operations, indicating that this was not the onset of a full-scale ground invasion.

Israel has been amassing troops near the Gaza border, although no official declaration about a ground assault has been made. An incursion into the densely populated and economically disadvantaged region of Gaza would likely result in even more casualties due to close-quarters combat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Friday night, “We will destroy Hamas.” According to Hamas, 13 hostages, including unidentified foreign nationals, were killed in Israeli airstrikes, a claim that was refuted by Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.

In Israel, public sentiment largely supports a military operation, and local media are focusing on national unity and resilience, often overlooking the crisis unfolding in Gaza.

In the occupied West Bank, 16 Palestinians were reported killed on Friday, increasing the death toll to 51. Attacks by Israeli settlers in the area have escalated since the onset of the Hamas-led assault.

International Reactions and Humanitarian Crisis

The United Nations stated that Israel’s call for a southern evacuation would affect 1.1 million people, essentially forcing the entire population into the southern half of the 25-mile Gaza Strip. Israeli spokesperson Jonathan Conricus stated that efforts would be made to minimize civilian casualties, and residents would be allowed to return after hostilities ceased.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated the long-standing accusation that Hamas has been using Palestinian civilians as human shields. He urged residents to move south to save their lives during a press conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric warned that executing such a mass evacuation would result in “devastating humanitarian consequences.”

Challenges for Health Infrastructure

Gaza’s healthcare system is grappling with an increasing number of casualties. Safe transportation of the wounded is nearly impossible, and many medical professionals have chosen to stay with their patients despite great personal risk. The Al Awda Hospital struggled to comply with a military directive to evacuate, an order that was later extended until Saturday morning by the Israeli military.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated it would not evacuate its schools, where many have sought refuge. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner general, described the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation as “bone-chilling” and warned that Gaza is on the verge of collapse.

This report includes contributions from Shurafa in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, and Lederer in Chicago, with additional input from Joseph Krauss in Jerusalem, Samya Kullab in Baghdad, Samy Magdy in Cairo, and Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel-Gaza conflict

More about Israel-Gaza conflict

• United Nations Statement on Gaza
• Israeli Military Official Press Release
• Hamas Media Office Updates
• Gaza Health Ministry Reports
• Palestinian Red Crescent Statements
• Analysis of Israeli Public Opinion
• Doctors Without Borders on Gaza Hospitals
• UNRWA’s Official Update
• Historical Background on Israel-Gaza Conflict
• Coverage of West Bank Casualties