By Michelle Ndaga
Israel has ordered the complete evacuation of Gaza City as its military intensifies operations against Hamas, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning that the campaign is only entering its initial stages.
In a televised address, Netanyahu declared: “You have been warned — this is only the beginning,” signaling that broader ground operations were imminent.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) dropped leaflets across Gaza City urging residents to flee southward toward Al-Mawasi, which Israel has designated as a humanitarian zone.
The evacuation order follows days of escalating airstrikes, including the destruction of high-rise buildings the IDF claims were used by Hamas.
Defense Minister Israel Katz described the current offensive as a “prelude” to a larger assault, while military officials confirmed that Israeli troops already control about 40% of the city.
Despite the warnings, many civilians remain in place, citing financial hardship, fears of overcrowding in displacement centers, and skepticism about safety in the south.
Humanitarian agencies, including the United Nations, have cautioned that the evacuation is “unfeasible and unsafe,” given the lack of shelter, food, and medical supplies in the designated areas.
The intensifying conflict has worsened Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, with aid groups warning of starvation and dire living conditions. International mediators continue to press for de-escalation, but with Israel vowing to expand its offensive, the crisis shows no signs of easing.
