Jerusalem
The Israeli military has asked people from northern Gaza to evacuate southwards using two routes between 10 a.m. in the morning to 4 p.m. in the evening, a spokesman said on Saturday. In a statement posted in Arabic on X, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Avichay Adraee said the routes can be used between the said period of time without any harm. Those living in Gaza City have been advised to move south from Beit Hanoun to Khan Yunis, ahead of a potential ground offensive by the Israeli army, Adraee said. People living near the beach and west of Olive will also be allowed to move on Daldul and Al-Sana Streets towards Salah Al-Din and Al-Bahr, he added. On Friday, the IDF had called on the evacuation of all civilians of Gaza City from their homes southwards for their own safety and protection and move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza.Wadi Gaza, known for its coastal wetlands and biodiversity, is a river valley located around the centre of the Gaza Strip, snaking across its entire width and ending in the Mediterranean Sea. You will be able to return to Gaza City only when another announcement permitting it is made, the military had said, adding that the Hamas militants were hiding inside tunnels underneath the ciy and inside buildings populated with civilians. It urged civilians to evacuate the city for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields.In the following days, the IDF will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City and make extensive efforts to avoid harming civilians. But the announcement has received widespread criticism over fears of spiralling the already dire humanitarian condition in the Hamas-controlled enclave.
