Emergency evacuations enivoked after Israel initiates lethal strikes on Gaza, rupturing its truce with Hamas.
The military’s evacuation directives were released on Tuesday, pinpointing the areas of Beit Hanoon, Khirbet Khuza’a, Abasan al-Kabira, and Abasan al-Jadida.
“The IDF [Israeli army] is conducting a large-scale operation against terrorist groups. These specified zones are regarded as hazardous battle areas!” announced the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, on X.
Adraee directed civilians from the affected areas to take refuge in shelters either in western Gaza City or Khan Younis.
The evacuation orders followed a series of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
After the assault, Hamas declared that the Netanyahu government had chosen to “abandon” the fragile two-month ceasefire established between the parties, which became effective on January 19.
These attacks and the evacuation orders signaled the conclusion of a period of relative tranquility during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, only weeks after Palestinians were permitted to return to their abodes under the ceasefire agreement.
Our correspondent in Gaza City, Hani Mahmoud of Al Jazeera, reported that Israel’s strikes had targeted residential buildings, schools, and public amenities turned into evacuation centers, effectively rendering them “death traps”.
“Remember that many Palestinians are still staying in these evacuation centers because their homes are either destroyed or situated in areas still occupied by the Israeli military,” he reported.
The United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory called for the immediate restoration of the ceasefire in Gaza.
“Aerial bombardments have occurred across the Gaza Strip since early morning… This is reprehensible. A ceasefire must be reinstated without delay,” stated Muhannad Hadi in an official statement.
