In brief
Israeli forces have intensified air strikes in Gaza City, leading to mass evacuations of civilians as entire neighborhoods face destruction. With over 250,000 residents relocated, many families struggle to afford the journey south amidst rising tensions and warnings from Israeli officials. The situation has sparked international condemnation and fears of escalating humanitarian crises as Gaza endures a declared famine.
Israeli forces have stepped up their assault on Gaza City with a wave of heavy air strikes, marking a sharp escalation from previous military operations.
Unlike earlier phases of the war, the current offensive has relied heavily on aerial bombardments, with entire apartment blocks and large concrete structures reduced to rubble.
The intensification of strikes in recent days has triggered a surge in civilian displacement.
Israel has warned all residents of Gaza City to leave immediately in anticipation of a huge ground offensive.
On Sunday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said about 250,000 people had left the city and moved south. It also said it had destroyed a high-rise building that it claimed had been used for terrorist activities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterized Gaza City as Hamas's last stronghold. However, this military plan has drawn substantial international criticism.
The UN cautioned that intensifying attacks on an area already facing famine would plunge civilians into deeper catastrophe.
Residents reported that the military has been targeting schools and makeshift shelters, often giving them only moments' notice before striking. Many families are forced to flee in the dark, seeking refuge in western Gaza.
We escaped certain death, my husband, our three children, and I, said Saly Tafeesh, illustrating the dire situation. My brother died in my arms after being shot by a quadcopter drone. We ran in the dark to the west of Gaza.
While the Israeli military has urged residents to evacuate south, financial burdens limit many families' ability to leave, with costs reaching up to $1,100.
Rubein Khaled, a father of nine preparing to leave, voiced frustration with Hamas's stance against leaving the city. The Hamas preacher accused anyone leaving Gaza City of being a coward, he said. But why doesn't he tell Hamas leaders to surrender? We don't want to leave, but we have no choice.
The Israeli military's aerial campaign appears focused on dismantling entire districts, as some eastern neighborhoods remain relatively untouched.
In addition, a Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson criticized actions taken by the Israeli government, emphasizing that ongoing strikes in Doha that targeted Hamas officials illustrate a disregard for peace negotiations and a unilateral strategy for shaping the region.
The health ministry in Gaza reported that at least 64,803 have died since the Israeli military campaign began following the October 7 Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis. Local authorities have raised concerns over starvation and malnutrition as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.
