On Friday, the Israeli military labeled Gaza City a “dangerous combat zone” as it geared up to take control of the region’s largest urban area following nearly two years of conflict.
The military announced, “Beginning today (Friday) at 10:00 (0700GMT), the local tactical pause in military operations will not apply to Gaza City, which is now a dangerous combat zone.” This refers to routine pauses in specific areas to allow aid distribution.
While the military hasn’t demanded an immediate evacuation, Avichay Adraee, the army’s Arabic-speaking spokesman, mentioned on Wednesday that evacuating the city is “inevitable.”
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The UN reports that almost a million people reside in the Gaza governorate, including Gaza City and its northern surroundings.
Photos from AFP taken on Thursday showed Palestinians fleeing south in vehicles loaded with mattresses, chairs, and bags.
Last week, Defence Minister Israel Katz promised to destroy Gaza City if Hamas didn’t end the conflict under Israel’s conditions.
His ministry had earlier sanctioned the military’s strategy to capture the city and called up about 60,000 reservists.
In a Friday statement, the military affirmed it would “continue supporting humanitarian efforts while conducting ongoing offensive and maneuvering operations against terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip.”
Gaza’s civil defense agency reported 33 casualties by Israeli forces across the region on Friday.
The Israeli military, when asked for comments by AFP, said it was “verifying” the reports.
