The Israeli military has recently issued immediate evacuation orders for a densely populated area in central Gaza, specifically in Deir al-Balah, where ground operations have not previously been conducted during the ongoing conflict with Hamas. On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) urged local residents and displaced Palestinians seeking refuge in the city to evacuate without delay and head towards al-Mawasi along the Mediterranean coast. This evacuation notice, which many interpret as a precursor to an impending military assault, has instigated widespread panic among tens of thousands of residents, as well as families of Israeli hostages who fear their loved ones may be held in the area.
The IDF has executed airstrikes in Deir al-Balah but has refrained from deploying ground troops thus far. On Sunday, military personnel dropped leaflets across various districts in southwest Deir al-Balah, instructing residents to abandon their homes and move further south. The military stated its intent to operate with significant force to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure and capabilities of Hamas in the region, emphasizing that they have not yet entered these districts during the ongoing conflict.
The neighborhoods affected by the evacuation orders are heavily populated with displaced individuals living in makeshift tents. According to Israeli sources cited by Reuters, the military has avoided these areas due to suspicions that Hamas may be using hostages as human shields. Reports indicate that at least 20 out of the remaining 50 hostages believed to be in captivity in Gaza are thought to still be alive.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with the population exceeding two million people, most of whom have faced displacement at least once throughout Israel's war against Hamas. Repeated evacuation calls have affected vast regions of the territory, exacerbating the crisis. These new evacuation orders come in the wake of devastating incidents reported by health officials at Gaza City's Shifa Hospital, where over 40 individuals were killed and dozens injured due to Israeli fire as crowds gathered in anticipation of UN aid deliveries on Sunday morning.
Hospitals in southern Gaza have reported additional casualties at aid distribution points, highlighting the escalating violence in the region. The United Nations has voiced concern over the starvation of civilians in Gaza, urging for an urgent influx of essential goods. However, there have been nearly daily reports of Palestinians being killed while attempting to access aid since the establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in late May, with many witnesses alleging that these fatalities are caused by Israeli forces.
Israel's military campaign in Gaza commenced as a response to the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and saw 251 individuals taken hostage. Since then, reports from the Hamas-run health ministry indicate that Israeli assaults have led to the deaths of over 58,895 people in Gaza, with these figures being recognized by the UN and other organizations as the most credible source of casualty statistics available.
