Gaza civilians urged to evacuate as tanks mass
Published: 06:10 PM,Oct 13,2023 | EDITED : 10:10 PM,Oct 13,2023
Israel called on Friday for all civilians in the northern half of the Gaza Strip, more than 1 million people, to relocate south within 24 hours, as it amassed tanks for an expected ground assault in response to an attack by Hamas.
Hamas, which controls the strip, told residents to stay put, and vowed to fight to the last drop of blood.
By Friday afternoon there was no sign of any mass exodus as Israel prepared its onslaught.
“Death is better than leaving,” said Mohammad, 20, standing in the street outside a building reduced to rubble in an Israeli air strike two days ago near the centre of Gaza. “I was born here, and I will die here, leaving is a stigma.”
The United Nations said evacuating everyone was impossible with power supplies cut and food and water in the Palestinian enclave running short after a week of retaliatory air strikes and a full Israeli blockade. The US called it a “tall order”.
The northern half of the Gaza Strip includes the enclave’s biggest settlement Gaza City. The UN said it had been told that Israel wanted the entire population to move across the wetlands that bisect the enclave.
“Civilians of Gaza City, evacuate south for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas who are using you as human shields,” the Israeli military said, accusing Hamas of hiding in and under civilian buildings.
International talks focused on providing aid and safe zones in Gaza amid fears the conflict could spread.
Pro-Palestinian protests were held around the world and in some places, Jewish communities feared they could be targeted after Israel’s military response to the unprecedented weekend attacks that killed more than 1,300 people, mostly civilians.
Israel has already responded with the most intensive air strikes of its 75-year conflict with the Palestinians. Gaza authorities say more than 1,500 people have been killed.
“We are ready to join the fight and rid the Palestinians of the Israeli atrocities,” said Muntadhar Kareem, 25, a teacher among thousands of Iraqis protesting in Baghdad.
The Israeli military pledged to operate “significantly” in coming days.
“We are fighting for our home. We are fighting for our future,” Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said.
“The path will be long, but ultimately I promise you we will win.”
Israel says the horrific attack on its civilians means it must annihilate the group and others must get out of the way. Hamas tunnels, military compounds, senior operatives’ residences and weapons storage warehouses were among 750 military targets struck overnight, it said.
The military wing of Hamas said the latest air strikes had killed 13 of the captives it brought back from Israel and that it had fired 150 rockets at Israel in response.
The United Nations said Israel’s call for Gaza civilians to leave could not happen “without devastating humanitarian consequences”, prompting a rebuke from Israel which said it should condemn Hamas and support Israel’s right to self-defence.
The UN humanitarian office (OCHA) said more than 400,000 people had already been made homeless in Gaza and 23 aid workers had been killed.
“Mass displacement continues,” it said.
The UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) said it had moved its central operations centre and international staff to Gaza’s south and urged Israel to spare its shelters.
Seeking to build support for its response, Israel’s government showed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Nato defence ministers graphic images of those killed. — Reuters
Hamas, which controls the strip, told residents to stay put, and vowed to fight to the last drop of blood.
By Friday afternoon there was no sign of any mass exodus as Israel prepared its onslaught.
“Death is better than leaving,” said Mohammad, 20, standing in the street outside a building reduced to rubble in an Israeli air strike two days ago near the centre of Gaza. “I was born here, and I will die here, leaving is a stigma.”
The United Nations said evacuating everyone was impossible with power supplies cut and food and water in the Palestinian enclave running short after a week of retaliatory air strikes and a full Israeli blockade. The US called it a “tall order”.
The northern half of the Gaza Strip includes the enclave’s biggest settlement Gaza City. The UN said it had been told that Israel wanted the entire population to move across the wetlands that bisect the enclave.
“Civilians of Gaza City, evacuate south for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas who are using you as human shields,” the Israeli military said, accusing Hamas of hiding in and under civilian buildings.
International talks focused on providing aid and safe zones in Gaza amid fears the conflict could spread.
Pro-Palestinian protests were held around the world and in some places, Jewish communities feared they could be targeted after Israel’s military response to the unprecedented weekend attacks that killed more than 1,300 people, mostly civilians.
Israel has already responded with the most intensive air strikes of its 75-year conflict with the Palestinians. Gaza authorities say more than 1,500 people have been killed.
“We are ready to join the fight and rid the Palestinians of the Israeli atrocities,” said Muntadhar Kareem, 25, a teacher among thousands of Iraqis protesting in Baghdad.
The Israeli military pledged to operate “significantly” in coming days.
“We are fighting for our home. We are fighting for our future,” Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said.
“The path will be long, but ultimately I promise you we will win.”
Israel says the horrific attack on its civilians means it must annihilate the group and others must get out of the way. Hamas tunnels, military compounds, senior operatives’ residences and weapons storage warehouses were among 750 military targets struck overnight, it said.
The military wing of Hamas said the latest air strikes had killed 13 of the captives it brought back from Israel and that it had fired 150 rockets at Israel in response.
The United Nations said Israel’s call for Gaza civilians to leave could not happen “without devastating humanitarian consequences”, prompting a rebuke from Israel which said it should condemn Hamas and support Israel’s right to self-defence.
The UN humanitarian office (OCHA) said more than 400,000 people had already been made homeless in Gaza and 23 aid workers had been killed.
“Mass displacement continues,” it said.
The UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) said it had moved its central operations centre and international staff to Gaza’s south and urged Israel to spare its shelters.
Seeking to build support for its response, Israel’s government showed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Nato defence ministers graphic images of those killed. — Reuters