2023-10-14 03:32:31
Gaza under attack: Israel unleashes its anger in retaliation for last Saturday’s Hamas attacks. Photo: Palestinian Agency Wafa
Amid rising tensions sparked by the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, the Israeli military has issued a evacuation order for 1.1 million people residing in northern Gaza. This movement, which seeks to protect the safety of civilians, marks a step in the conflict that has kept the region in suspense for days.
Israeli warplanes continued bombing the narrow coastal enclave under Hamas control in recent days. The civilian population of Gaza, amid fear and uncertainty, has begun a massive evacuation to the south of the area. Many have packed into vehicles of all types, from cars to taxis and vans, in an attempt to escape the growing threat.
To inform Gazans about the situation, the Israel Defense Forces leaflets have been dropped from airplanesurging the population to go south to protect their safety and that of their families, away from the Hamas terrorists, who have used them as human shields.
Search for hostages and international criticism
Israeli forces have also carried out local raids in Gaza aimed at obtaining information on the location of some 150 hostages held by Hamas in the region.
The evacuation order issued by Israel has drawn criticism from both the United Nations and various humanitarian groups. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern about the forced evacuation of more than a million people in a densely populated and besieged areawhere the lack of food, water and shelter poses extreme risk and, in some cases, even mission impossible.
Organizations such as the Norwegian Refugee Council and Amnesty International have urged Israel to reconsider its decision, arguing that forcing Gaza civilians to relocate amounts to a “war crime of forcible transfer,” as noted by the Norwegian Refugee Council. the Refugees.
Unknowns around the evacuation
Initially, UN officials had been told that the relocation had to be carried out within 24 hours. However, Israel subsequently acknowledged that mass migration will take time. Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, an IDF spokesman, told CNN that any deadline set could be flexible depending on the circumstances.
Despite the evacuation order, some Gazans have decided to stay in the north, arguing that there is no safe place for them to go. Refaat Alareer, a 44-year-old literature teacher in Gaza City, along with his family, has chosen to remain in the area, as he believes they have no other option. The constant presence of Israeli bombs has generated a widespread feeling of helplessness and vulnerability among the civilian population.
Tensions in northern Gaza continue to rise, and the international community is watching with concern the evolution of events in this conflictive region, as Israel and Hamas face one of the most critical moments in their long conflict.
According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, more than 1,900 people were killed as of Saturday night, but the numbers could rise even more this weekend, one week after the initial Hamas attack.
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