Israel’s defense ministry and military have called for the evacuation of 1.1 million residents from northern Gaza within the next 24 hours, according to a spokesperson from the United Nations (U.N.). This information was communicated to the U.N. by the Israeli military and the Israeli Ministry of Defense, who also instructed Palestinians in northern Gaza to relocate to the southern regions of the enclave. The U.N. expressed concern over the humanitarian implications of this directive, as the region is home to approximately 1.1 million people.
U.N. officials in Gaza were informed by their liaison officers in the Israeli military about the relocation order. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasized the potential devastating consequences and appealed for the order to be rescinded, stating that such a movement would be impossible without severe humanitarian consequences. He further highlighted that the order applies to individuals sheltered in U.N. facilities, including schools, health centers, and clinics. The U.N. and Israeli Ministry of Defense have been contacted for comment.
The Israeli military has been targeting the extensive network of tunnels used by the Hamas terror group to carry out attacks on Israel. IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus described the Gaza Strip as one of the most densely populated areas in the world, stretching about 20 miles from end to end. The IDF’s focus has been on targeting Hamas senior officials and commanders, as well as infrastructure related to finance, construction, command and control, and intelligence.
Hamas has primarily focused on constructing tunnels under Gaza City for its own purposes, not for civilian use. These tunnels are used by Hamas to launch rockets at Israel, plan terror operations, and send terrorists into Israel. The Israeli Air Force has been striking targets in various neighborhoods of the Gaza Strip, focusing on specific military targets within the areas. The IDF aims to destroy Hamas’ capability to operate in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with over 1,200 Israeli lives lost and over 3,000 injuries reported. The IDF has also notified over 95 families that their relatives have been captured by Hamas. Tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers have been deployed around the Gaza area.