Israel Closes Gaza Exit, Plans Unprecedented Offensive

Israel Ends Gaza Evacuation Window,Announces “Unprecedented” Offensive as Hundreds of Thousands Remain

Israel has declared the end of a 48-hour evacuation period for residents of Gaza City,opening the door for what it describes as an “unprecedented” military offensive.The move leaves over half a million Palestinians trapped in the area, facing escalating danger as Israeli troops advance towards the city center.

The ultimatum, issued earlier this week, offered a second evacuation route – Salah al-Din road – but that corridor was closed at midday on Friday, September 20, 2025. Israeli forces had warned that two divisions were moving towards the heart of Gaza City, with the remaining southern escape route, Al Rashid road, already experiencing complete gridlock.

According to a statement released midday Friday, the Israeli military stated, “From this moment, salah al-Din road is closed. the army will continue to operate with a force without precedent against Hamas and the rest of terrorist groups.” The statement urged Gazans to flee via Al Rashid road, pointing to the Al Mawasi area – a designated 9-square-kilometer “humanitarian zone” – as a potential safe haven, despite reports of severe shortages of water, food, and space.

Did you know? – The Al Mawasi area, designated as a humanitarian zone, is only 9 square kilometers. This limited space is struggling to accommodate the influx of displaced peopel, leading to critical shortages of essential supplies.

The Israeli military estimates that 450,000 people have already left the city, approaching half the estimated one million residents previously believed to be in the area according to UN agencies.However, the United Nations believes the actual number of evacuees is significantly lower. Irrespective, hundreds of thousands remain, primarily concentrated in the center and west of Gaza City, pushed into increasingly confined spaces by weeks of advancing Israeli troops from the north, east, and south.

A senior Israeli military official stated on Thursday that troops are “deepening” their activity in the city center and anticipating the arrival of reinforcements. the official also reported that Israel has struck 1,200 “terrorist targets” during “Operation Gideon’s Chariots 2,” the name given to the offensive in Gaza City.

Pro tip: – evacuation routes are frequently enough disrupted or closed with little notice. Residents rely heavily on communication networks,including text messaging,to receive updates,but thes networks are often unreliable during conflict.

The situation on the ground is dire, as described by Alaa Sbaih, a 25-year-old Gaza City resident. “Every day we wake up to the explosions of these robots,” Sbaih explained via text message on Friday, referring to remotely detonated military vehicles increasingly used by Israeli forces. These “robot explosives” are frequently detonated on Calle 8, a major avenue connecting neighborhoods like Zeitún, Shujaiya, and Sabra. Sbaih fears her neighborhood will soon face the same devastation seen in those areas, where, according to her, “the army has left no house habitable… houses razed to the ground.”

Many residents are unable to leave due to a lack of resources,leading to overcrowded conditions in the remaining areas of the city. Sbaih reports entire neighborhoods with closed shops, no electricity, and families abandoning their homes

Reader question: – What factors might prevent civilians from evacuating, even when routes are officially open? Share your thoughts on the challenges faced by those remaining in Gaza City.

Expanded News Report:

Why: Israel initiated the offensive, dubbed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots 2,” with the stated goal of dismantling Hamas and other militant groups operating within Gaza City. The operation followed a period of escalating tensions and rocket fire from Gaza into Israel.

Who: The primary actors are the Israeli military and Hamas,the governing body of Gaza. The civilian population of Gaza City, estimated at one million before the offensive, is directly impacted. The