Key events
Israel’s large-scale evacuation order for Gaza City residents comes as mediation efforts by the US, Qatar and Egypt have failed to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas in order to secure a ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages Hamas holds in Gaza.
Israel had already taken control of 75% of Gaza since the war began with Hamas’ October 2023 assault on southern Israel in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken as hostage back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.
Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza are alive, as Reuters reports.
Israel’s subsequent military assault has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s health ministry says, as well as internally displacing nearly the entire population and leaving much of the territory in ruins.
Welcome
Israel’s military has ordered Gaza City residents to evacuate ahead of a new offensive to seize the territory’s largest urban centre, part of a planned takeover stirring international alarm.
Taking over the city of 1 million Palestinians complicates ceasefire efforts to end the nearly two-year war. On Monday, Benjamin Netanyahu warned residents of Gaza City to leave immediately, hours after Israel said it would ramp up airstrikes. The Israeli prime minister said forces were now organising and assembling into Gaza City for a ground “manoeuvre”.
International critics say Israel’s plan – which includes demilitarising the whole strip as Israel takes security control of it – could deepen the humanitarian plight of the 2.2 million people living there, who are also facing a growing famine.