Israeli soldiers have entered a region in northern Gaza to expand the “security zone” surrounding the area, according to the military. This follows Israel’s recent announcement of plans to take control of large areas in the south.

Evacuation orders were issued by Israeli forces for Shejaia, a suburb on the outskirts of the Gaza Strip, on Thursday. The military has stated that civilians are being allowed to leave the area through designated routes.

Many residents are fleeing, some on foot carrying their belongings, while others are using vans, donkey carts, and bicycles. This comes after Israeli forces moved to control the southern edge of Gaza, consolidating around the remains of Rafah city. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes this week, one of the largest displacements of the conflict.

Israel has not made clear its long-term plan for the areas it is seizing, but Gazans believe the goal is to permanently depopulate these regions. Some Palestinians believe this is in line with Donald Trump’s proposal to turn the area into a US-controlled tourist destination.

On Thursday, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed over 100 people, including at least 27 who were sheltering in a school, as per information from Gaza’s health ministry run by Hamas. The Israeli Defense Force maintains that the school was used as a command center by Hamas, a claim Hamas denies.

The Israeli Defense Force resumed operations and airstrikes in Gaza on March 18, ending a two-month truce with Hamas. Israeli forces continue their military actions, and the country’s officials have stated that operations will continue until the 59 hostages currently in Gaza are released. Hamas demands a permanent end to the conflict as part of any deal to free captives.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/israeli-troops-expand-security-zone-in-northern-gaza-after-announcing-plans-to-seize-areas-of-south-13341587