The Israeli military on Tuesday morning urged all residents of Gaza City to evacuate ahead of an expanded military operation in the northern part of the city.
This marks the first time authorities have called for a full evacuation during the current military offensive.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that Israel had demolished 30 high-rise buildings in Gaza, alleging that Hamas used them for military purposes.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said Israel had destroyed at least 50 “terror towers” claimed to be used by Hamas.
It was not immediately clear whether the high-rises Katz mentioned were separate from the towers Netanyahu referenced. Netanyahu described the destruction as “only the introduction, only the beginning of the main intensive operation — the ground incursion of our forces.”
In recent days, Israel has taken down multiple high-rise buildings in Gaza City, citing the presence of Hamas surveillance systems. These demolitions are part of an intensified campaign to seize control of what Israel calls Hamas’ last stronghold, while urging Palestinians to move to a designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza.
Gaza City is home to roughly 1 million Palestinians, though only a small number had left prior to Tuesday’s evacuation notice.
Military spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee said last week that the evacuation of Gaza City was unavoidable, adding that families who relocate southward would receive humanitarian assistance. Aid groups, however, warned that facilities to support them are limited.
Israel’s retaliation against Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack has so far claimed at least 64,522 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
