📷 Image Credits: Times Of India
In a recent development, the Israeli military has urged all Palestinians to leave Gaza City and head south. The military is pressing ahead with a fresh offensive across the north, south, and center of the embattled territory, resulting in dozens of casualties over the last 48 hours. The intensified military activity coincided with U.S., Egyptian, and Qatari mediators meeting Israeli officials in Doha, Qatar, to negotiate a long-awaited cease-fire deal with Gaza’s Hamas militant group.
The Israeli military’s current operation aims to target Hamas fighters regrouping in various parts of Gaza, indicating a shift in strategy nine months into the ongoing conflict. The heavy strikes across the territory are also seen as a way to exert pressure on Hamas during the cease-fire negotiations. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israel’s military chief, emphasized the importance of the mission, stating that forces are operating in multiple parts of the territory to bring home the hostages.
Israel’s evacuation order for Gaza City, delivered through leaflets dropped in the area, instructed residents to take safe routes south toward the central town of Deir al Balah. The directive highlighted the dangers present in Gaza City, which has become a combat zone. Previous orders had already prompted residents of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, to relocate southward due to the ongoing conflict.
Despite the evacuation order, there was no immediate mass exodus from Gaza City after the announcement. Many Palestinians are hesitant to leave, with a significant population still residing in the hard-hit north. The recent military operations have caused widespread displacement, with Palestinians seeking refuge in central and southern Gaza. Israeli troops have pushed into parts of Gaza City, leading to the flight of thousands trying to escape the violence.
Recent Israeli bombardments in Deir al Balah and the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in the deaths of 20 Palestinians, including children and women. The escalation of military activity has raised concerns about civilian casualties, prompting international scrutiny. The conflict has seen extensive destruction, displacement, and loss of life, with both sides facing challenges in reaching a cease-fire agreement.
As mediators work towards a potential deal to end the conflict and secure the release of hostages, the situation in Gaza remains volatile. The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for a diplomatic resolution to the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas, with the civilian population bearing the brunt of the crisis.
