UPDATE: The Israeli military has just announced the opening of a new escape route from Gaza City for 48 hours, aiming to facilitate the evacuation of civilians amid escalating violence. This urgent measure comes as Israel intensifies its military operations against Hamas, with reports indicating that at least 63 people were killed across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday alone.
As the conflict rages, hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in Gaza City, reluctant to heed evacuation orders due to the perilous journey south, worsening humanitarian conditions, and fears of permanent displacement. Ahmed, a schoolteacher residing in the Sabra neighborhood, expressed his anguish, stating, “Even if we want to leave Gaza City, is there any guarantee we would be able to come back? Will the war ever end? That’s why I prefer to die here.”
According to local health authorities, the death toll since the conflict escalated following Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has surpassed 65,000. However, many believe the actual number is likely higher as countless bodies remain buried under rubble. The Israeli offensive, which has seen approximately 400,000 people flee Gaza City, is part of a broader strategy to clear the area of civilians and combatants.
In the past few days, Israel has reported that around 190,000 people have moved south and another 350,000 have relocated to central and western parts of the city. Despite these movements, the situation on the ground remains chaotic, with civilians attempting to escape by any means necessary—on foot, in vehicles, or by donkey carts.
The Israeli military has communicated that Palestinians have until lunchtime on Friday to utilize the newly opened Salahudin Road for evacuation. However, this route is fraught with danger, as the ongoing military operations continue to intensify. An Israeli official noted that fighting is expected to escalate over the next month, with an estimated 100,000 civilians likely to remain trapped in the city.
International responses to the conflict have been fierce. The United Nations and various humanitarian organizations have condemned Israel’s military strategy and the potential mass displacement of civilians. In a recent report, a UN Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel has committed acts of genocide in Gaza, a claim that Israeli officials have vehemently rejected as “scandalous” and “fake.”
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, with a severe hunger crisis unfolding as those who have evacuated face overcrowding in southern encampments. The UN warns that the strategy to force civilians out of Gaza City could lead to catastrophic humanitarian consequences.
As the clock ticks down on the evacuation window, the world watches anxiously. The prospect of a ceasefire seems increasingly unlikely following Israel’s strikes against Hamas leaders in Doha, which have further strained diplomatic efforts.
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Civilians are fleeing their homes in search of safety, but the path ahead is fraught with uncertainty and peril. The international community must respond, as the human toll of this conflict continues to rise dramatically.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
