Reuters. Israel's military on Tuesday (September 9) ordered Gaza City residents to evacuate ahead of a new offensive, after Israel warned it would step up its military attacks in the strip in a "mighty hurricane" if Hamas does not free the last hostages it holds.
Taking over the city of one million Palestinians complicates ceasefire efforts to end the nearly two-year war as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right partners follow through with his plan to take on what they have said are Hamas' two remaining strongholds.
The evacuation orders caused panic and confusion among the residents of Gaza City. Some said they would have no choice but to leave for the south, while the vast majority of others said they would stay as no other place was safe.
Israel had already taken control of 75% of Gaza since the war began with Hamas' cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, Israeli tallies show. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza are alive.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned residents of Gaza City to leave, hours after Israel said it would ramp up airstrikes on the enclave.
Netanyahu said forces are now organizing and assembling into Gaza City for a ground "manoeuvre" after taking down 50 towers in two days.
He said: "I say to the residents of Gaza, I take this opportunity and listen to me carefully: you have been warned — leave now!”
He also sent condolences to families of six victims of a Palestinian shooting attack at a Jerusalem bus stop earlier on Monday.
Israel's subsequent military assault has killed over 62,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says, and internally displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the territory in ruins.
