The Gaza City evacuation has once again forced thousands of Palestinians to flee as Israeli forces advance deeper into the enclave. On Saturday, the Israeli military ordered residents to leave for Khan Younis in southern Gaza before striking a high-rise building it claimed was used by Hamas. The assault threatens to displace hundreds of thousands already trapped by nearly two years of conflict.
Evacuation Orders Issued
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged residents through social media to move toward a designated “humanitarian zone” in Khan Younis. He assured displaced families that food, shelter, and medical aid would be available there.
Despite the assurances, fear spread across Gaza City. Many residents had already been displaced earlier in the war, only to return after months of uncertainty. This time, many expressed reluctance to leave their homes again, fearing permanent exile.
High-Rise Tower Bombed
Shortly after issuing evacuation warnings, Israeli warplanes bombed a multi-storey tower in Gaza City. The military claimed the building was used by Hamas for intelligence operations and that explosives had been planted nearby.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz released a video of the building collapsing, its fall accompanied by a massive cloud of dust. However, Hamas denied using the site for military purposes. Palestinians said the tower had been a shelter for displaced families.
Casualty numbers from the strike were not immediately available. Still, Gaza’s health authorities reported that at least 23 Palestinians were killed across the city on Saturday, including 13 in the immediate area of the bombing.
Weeks of Heavy Strikes
Israeli forces have pounded Gaza City’s suburbs for weeks. The military claims it now controls almost half the city and about 75% of the Gaza Strip overall. Troops are within a few kilometres of the city center, with heavy clashes reported in surrounding neighborhoods.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the capture of Gaza City despite objections from military leaders. According to Israeli officials, the political leadership pressed for a decisive blow, while the army expressed hesitation due to the humanitarian toll and complex urban warfare.
Tens of thousands of reservists have been called up to sustain the assault. For many Palestinians, the renewed offensive has destroyed remaining shelters, leaving them with no safe place to go.
Humanitarian Impact
Before the war, Gaza City housed around one million people, nearly half of Gaza’s total population. Continuous strikes have left much of the city in ruins, with civilians facing shortages of water, medicine, and food.
Amnesty International condemned Israel’s offensive on Friday, warning that homes were being destroyed and civilians killed in large numbers. The rights group called the forced displacement of residents a violation of international law.
Rising Diplomatic Pressure
Israel’s campaign in Gaza has drawn sharp criticism worldwide. Once a close ally, several Western governments have begun distancing themselves, citing the scale of civilian suffering.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned of an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. Aid groups argue that the so-called “humanitarian zones” are unsafe, overcrowded, and lack the promised resources.
Read: Israeli Forces Widen Crackdown Rising Civilian Deaths in Gaza
The Hostage Question
The war’s roots trace back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants carried out a deadly cross-border attack, killing 1,200 people and seizing 251 hostages. Since then, more than 64,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Today, Israeli officials estimate that 48 hostages remain in Gaza, with around 20 believed to be alive. Families of hostages are pressuring Netanyahu’s government to secure a deal for their release.
Hamas Offers Partial Deals
Hamas has released videos of hostages in recent weeks, including one on Friday showing two captives pleading for safety. The militant group has offered to release some hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, similar to terms discussed in July before talks collapsed.
Netanyahu, however, insists on an “all-or-nothing” deal. His government demands the release of all captives at once and Hamas’s surrender. This hardline stance has deepened divisions within Israel, where hostage families are demanding flexibility.
International Mediation
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that Washington was engaged in “very deep” negotiations with Hamas, alongside Arab mediators. However, progress remains limited, with both sides unwilling to compromise on core demands.
Hamas has repeatedly stated it would free all captives if Israel ended its war and withdrew forces from Gaza. Israeli leaders reject those conditions, arguing that withdrawal would allow Hamas to rebuild and rearm.
War of Attrition
Israeli military officials say their operations have eliminated many Hamas leaders and thousands of fighters. They argue that the group has been reduced to a guerrilla force, operating in smaller units rather than as a formal army.
Despite these claims, the cost has been staggering. Gaza lies in ruins, with entire neighborhoods flattened. Families continue to flee southward, uncertain of safety and haunted by fears of permanent displacement.
Fear and Uncertainty
The latest Gaza City evacuation underscores the devastating human cost of this conflict. For many Palestinians, each new order to move brings the same question: where can they possibly go? With southern areas already overcrowded and basic resources scarce, hope remains fragile.
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