Israeli military aircraft dropped thousands of leaflets on the northern Gaza Strip Friday warning residents in that part of the Palestinian territory to evacuate to its southern half. The Israeli military informed the United Nations late Thursday night that the entire population in northern Gaza should evacuate south almost immediately.
According to Stephane Dujarric, a U.N. spokesperson, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) liaison officers have notified the U.N. that the entire population residing north of Wadi Gaza must evacuate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours, as conveyed to CBS News on Thursday before midnight Gaza time.
The U.N. reports that the northern part of Gaza, which is the most densely populated area, is home to approximately 1.1 million individuals.
According to Dujarric, the U.N. believes that if such a movement occurs, there will be severe humanitarian consequences. The U.N. urges for any confirmed orders of this nature to be revoked in order to prevent the current tragedy from escalating into a catastrophic situation.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan criticized the U.N.’s reaction to Israel’s early warning to Gaza residents, deeming it “shameful” and accusing it of disregarding the brutality of the attack on Israel.
Early Friday local time, the IDF ordered Gaza City’s hundreds of thousands of residents to move farther south in the Gaza Strip for their “own safety.”
According to The Associated Press, Hamas urged Palestinians to remain in their homes in response.
Inas Hamdan, an officer at the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza City, is quoted by the AP as stating, “The situation is extremely chaotic, with widespread confusion regarding the necessary actions.”
Israel is continuing its relentless airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following Hamas terror attacks on Saturday, while also making preparations for an anticipated ground invasion of Gaza.
The Israeli leaflets cautioned Palestinians, who have limited means of escape, not to go back to their homes until the Israel Defense Forces provide further instructions. It was also stated that all recognized and publicly known shelters in Gaza City must be emptied.
The leaflets advised that individuals in Gaza who came near the security fence dividing it from Israel were in danger of losing their lives.
According to the latest numbers from the U.N., at least 338,000 Gaza residents have been displaced since Hamas invaded southern Israel on Oct. 7, slaughtering civilians and prompting retaliatory airstrikes by Israel on Gaza.
Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, the international spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, revealed that approximately 300,000 Israeli soldiers are currently stationed near the Gaza Strip border. While he did not directly mention a ground assault on Gaza, Conricus acknowledged that the troops, alongside tanks, armored vehicles, and other artillery, were actively preparing for the forthcoming phase of the conflict. This stage will be initiated at an opportune moment, aligned with our objectives.
On Thursday, Israeli officials reported that the Hamas invasion has resulted in a minimum of 1,300 fatalities and left over 2,800 individuals injured.
At least 1,537 Gaza residents have been killed in Israel’s counterattacks, including 500 children, and another 6,600 wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Israel has imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza following the Hamas invasion, prohibiting the entry of essential supplies such as food, water, gas, medicine, and electricity. This action has pushed the region to the verge of a humanitarian crisis.
— Jordan Freiman contributed to this report.
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- Hamas
- Israel
- United Nations
- Gaza Strip
