In brief
The Israeli military has intensified its operations in Gaza City, issuing evacuation orders and attacking high-rise buildings, including the Sousi Tower. Aid groups voice concerns over the already dire humanitarian situation, exacerbated by ongoing evacuations amid food shortages and violence. As the conflict escalates, thousands rallied in Israel, demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas and calling for an end to the war.
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli army issued evacuation orders and targeted high-rise buildings in Gaza City on Saturday, urging Palestinians to flee south ahead of an escalating offensive to seize the city of nearly 1 million.
Aid groups warn that a large-scale evacuation would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza City, which the world’s leading hunger watchdog announced last month was officially suffering from famine as a result of Israeli restrictions on food aid.
Most Palestinian families have been repeatedly displaced in the nearly two-year-long war and say they have nowhere left to go. The Israeli military has previously bombed tent encampments designated as humanitarian zones.
“There is no safe tent, no safe house, no safe place, no safety at all,” said Nadia Marouf, who fled Israel’s offensive in the north with her children and resettled in Gaza City — only to see her tent destroyed Saturday in an Israeli airstrike that wiped out a 15-story building and surrounding encampment.
“Where do I go? We went to the south, there is no space in the south, where can we go?”
Israeli army urges Palestinians to move to a ‘humanitarian zone’
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on Palestinians to flee to southern Gaza, announcing on social media that the army had redrawn the borders of a humanitarian zone.
Aid groups have raised alarm about woefully inadequate shelter, sanitation, water, and food in areas designated for evacuation.
Israel targets high-rises in Gaza City
Israeli operations continue to aggravate the humanitarian situation as evacuation warnings have been issued following air strikes on high-rise buildings in Gaza City.
In recent protests, thousands of Israelis rallied, demanding the government take action on the hostage situation and expressing outrage towards the military’s renewed offensive.
The ongoing conflict has taken a heavy toll, with reports indicating thousands have been killed or injured at aid distribution sites due to Israeli fire.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, Israeli officials stated they would provide essential supplies within designated humanitarian zones, raising complex questions about the future for the residents of Gaza City amidst this escalating violence.
