Israel Orders Gaza City Evacuation Amid Expanding Military Offensive

Amid escalating conflict in Gaza City, the Israeli army has urged Palestinians to evacuate to a designated 'humanitarian area' in the south, including the Muwasi camp, as it intensifies military operations targeting Hamas strongholds. Despite the Israeli military's assurances that civilians can travel safely via designated routes, aid organizations have warned that such large-scale evacuations risk worsening the already dire humanitarian crisis, given the city's famine conditions and repeated displacement of residents. Israel has targeted multiple high-rise residential buildings, including Gaza City's tallest tower sheltering displaced families, claiming Hamas used these structures for attacks, though evidence has not been publicly provided. The city is declared to have 'red zones' where heavy fighting is expected, and some medical facilities, like Nasser Hospital, are near or within these zones; notably, a recent Israeli strike on a hospital killed 22 people, including journalists. While Israel states that relief efforts, including field hospitals and supplies, will continue in cooperation with the UN and international organizations, Gaza's health ministry and other sources report that humanitarian zones, including Muwasi, have previously been struck by Israeli forces. The ongoing conflict, sparked by the October 2023 Hamas attack, continues to cause widespread casualties and displacement, complicating ceasefire negotiations and drawing concern from both sides.