Israel Calls on Famine-Stricken Gaza City Residents to Evacuate/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israel called on Gaza City’s residents to evacuate to a designated “humanitarian zone” as it expanded its offensive with airstrikes and warnings targeting high-rise buildings. The UN cautioned the unilateral safe-zone declaration could deepen the humanitarian crisis in the famine-stricken city. Families of Israeli hostages pressed President Trump to push harder for a ceasefire deal.
Israel Expands Gaza City Offensive: Quick Looks
- Israel urges evacuation to Muwasi “humanitarian zone” in southern Gaza.
- UN rejects designation, warning it risks worsening catastrophe.
- Two Gaza high-rises targeted for alleged Hamas infrastructure.
- Airstrikes killed 15, including family of five in Shati camp.
- Palestinians say repeated displacement is impossible amid famine and illness.
- 48 hostages remain in Gaza, 20 believed alive.
- Hostage families thank President Trump and envoy Steve Witkoff for efforts.
- Hamas propaganda video shows two hostages alive in Gaza City.
- War began after Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that killed 1,200 in Israel.
- Gaza Health Ministry reports 64,000 Palestinians killed, half women and children.
Deep Look: Israel Urges Gaza City Evacuations as UN Warns of Humanitarian Collapse
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israel’s military on Saturday urged residents of Gaza City to evacuate southward into a designated “humanitarian area” as it intensified its campaign to seize control of the famine-stricken city. The move came alongside new strikes on high-rise buildings and mounting concerns from aid organizations and the United Nations about worsening humanitarian disaster.
Israel Designates ‘Humanitarian Zone’ in the South
Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced via X that the army designated Muwasi, a sprawling tent camp near Khan Younis, as a humanitarian area. The Israeli army described Gaza City as a Hamas “combat zone” and said residents could travel by car on a designated road without being searched.
The safe zone, according to Israel, would include field hospitals, water pipelines, food distribution, and tents, coordinated with the UN and international groups. However, Olga Cherevko of the UN’s humanitarian affairs office stressed the designation was unilateral, and aid agencies were not involved in setting it up.
The UN said it would continue aid work inside Gaza City, warning that forced evacuations risked pushing civilians “into an even deeper catastrophe.” It also emphasized that any evacuation must be voluntary, with guarantees that people could eventually return.
Airstrikes and Civilian Deaths
Israeli forces issued evacuation warnings for two Gaza City high-rises and surrounding tents, claiming Hamas infrastructure was hidden within. The warning followed Friday’s strike on the Mushtaha Tower, which Israel also said Hamas used for surveillance.
Meanwhile, Shifa Hospital reported receiving the bodies of 15 people killed Saturday, including five members of a single family whose apartment in the Shati refugee camp was destroyed. Others were killed by Israeli fire while waiting for aid near the Zikim crossing, officials said.
Despite evacuation orders, many Palestinians insist they cannot leave.
“They order us to move from one town to another — where do we take the sick, the elderly, the children?” asked Um Haitham, a Gaza City resident.
Hostages and Domestic Protests in Israel
The offensive has triggered protests within Israel, where families of hostages fear their loved ones — believed to be held in Gaza City — are being endangered. Of 48 hostages still in Gaza, Israel estimates 20 are alive.
On Friday, Hamas released a propaganda video showing two hostages, Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel, speaking under apparent duress.
Hostage families appealed to President Donald Trump, thanking him and envoy Steve Witkoff for their efforts to advance ceasefire talks.
“True leadership is measured by bold decisions,” the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.
Ceasefire Elusive
Hamas said last month it had accepted a ceasefire plan from Arab mediators, but Israel has not agreed and maintains it will fight until Hamas is disarmed and all hostages are freed.
Israel’s stance reflects frustration after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack, in which militants killed about 1,200 Israelis and abducted 251 people.
In retaliation, Israel launched its ongoing offensive, which Gaza’s Health Ministry says has killed over 64,000 Palestinians, with women and children comprising nearly half the dead. Though Israel disputes those figures, it has not provided an alternative count.
UN’s Dire Warning
The UN has declared Gaza City gripped by famine, with many residents too weak to move after repeated displacement. Aid groups warn that ordering nearly one million residents to flee risks mass starvation and further collapse of medical care.
Despite Israel’s assurances about safe zones, past strikes on designated areas like Muwasi have fueled skepticism among residents and aid workers.
As the conflict nears its two-year mark, Gaza’s population faces a precarious choice: remain in a besieged city under bombardment or move into camps with little guarantee of safety.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.