Israel Orders Gaza City Evacuation Ahead of Major Offensive

Lead Israel’s military on Tuesday ordered the one-million residents of Gaza City to evacuate immediately, warning of a “mighty hurricane” of air and ground attacks unless Hamas surrenders.

Nut Graf The unprecedented full evacuation directive marks the next phase in Israel’s two-year campaign against Hamas in northern Gaza. Critics warn it could trigger mass displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis in already devastated southern zones.

Main Developments

Military Ultimatum and Warnings Avichay Adraee, the Israel Defense Forces’ Arabic-language spokesperson, announced the evacuation order on social media, urging civilians to relocate south via designated “humanitarian axes.” Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened a “mighty hurricane” of force should Hamas fail to free remaining hostages.

Prime Minister’s Directive Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the call, stating, “I urge the people of Gaza to heed my warnings: you must evacuate immediately!” He framed the operation as necessary to eliminate Hamas’s last strongholds in Gaza City, which Israeli forces aim to seize imminently.

Humanitarian Concerns Aid agencies caution that moving a million people into southern areas-already crowded and suffering shortages-risks catastrophe. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned of dire conditions if the offensive proceeds without safe corridors for civilians.

Political and Diplomatic Reactions Britain’s foreign office emphasized it has not classified Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide, despite mounting civilian suffering, reflecting the delicate diplomatic balance among Western allies. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told Croatian PM Andrej Plenković in Zagreb that Israel supports a US-mediated cease-fire plan proposed by President Trump, conditioned on Hamas releasing all hostages within 48 hours.

West Bank Escalations Separately, Israeli forces stepped up raids across the occupied West Bank after a deadly shooting in East Jerusalem. Troops carried out arrests in towns such as Biddu and Hebron, employing live ammunition and tear gas, heightening tensions amid fears of collective punitive measures against Palestinian communities.

Israel’s evacuation order underscores its determination to conclude the Gaza campaign by targeting Gaza City’s urban core. With cease-fire negotiations stalled and humanitarian alarms ringing, the looming ground assault could reshape the conflict’s trajectory and its regional fallout.