Beginning Sunday, Gaza citizens will be distributed tents and shelter materials under a planned evacuation from battle zones to southern regions of the enclave, the Israeli army said on Saturday. The evacuation is following preparations for a new Israeli offensive on northern Gaza City, the largest city in the territory. The officials stated the steps are taken to safeguard citizens from mounting strife, but concerns have been raised regarding the execution and safety of the intended evacuation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted that the civilians would be relocated to "safe zones" prior to the military action, terming Gaza City as the last foothold of Hamas. The UN and other global humanitarian aid organizations will provide the shelter equipment across the Kerem Shalom crossing after Israel's defense ministry inspects them. The UN has yet to react to the statement, but it also earlier threatened that tens of thousands of families that are already living in catastrophic humanitarian conditions would be driven beyond survival point if a northern Gaza offensive continues.
As plans for relocation were declared, Israeli troops escalated operations on the peripheries of Gaza City in the last week. People in areas like Zeitoun and Shejaia described ongoing blasts from air strikes and artillery bombardments. The Israeli army confirmed it launched operations in Zeitoun on Friday to find explosives, destroy tunnels, and attack militants.
Palestinian authorities and militant group Islamic Jihad denounced Israel's declaration as a "mockery of international conventions" as part of a campaign labeled a "brutal attack to occupy Gaza City." The evacuees' destination is unknown, with Rafah close to the Egyptian border the probable location, although officials have not confirmed this.
The ongoing crisis originated from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in southern Israel that killed 1,200 individuals and took 251 people hostage, as reported by Israeli authorities. In response to the attack, Israeli military forces have killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, displaced people in huge numbers, and caused massive hunger and destruction of infrastructure, as reported by Gaza's health ministry. Approximately 20 of the last 50 hostages remain alive in Gaza.
Demonstrations demanding the release of hostages and a halt to hostilities are anticipated throughout Israel on Sunday. Companies, universities, and cities announced they would back the demonstrations. International pushes for a 60-day US-supported ceasefire stalled in February, but Egyptian and Qatari mediators are trying to revive talks.
While Israel is mobilizing soldiers and relief enters southern Gaza, the humanitarian and military emergency continues to be fraught with tension, with the security of civilians and possible consequences of a northern Gaza offensive commanding international attention.
