Gaza City: IDF Offensive Sparks Mass Exodus, Protests Erupt in Israel!
The situation in Gaza City is rapidly deteriorating as thousands of Palestinians flee relentless Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacks. The Hamas-run municipality reports a "catastrophic" situation in the southern Zeitoun neighborhood, citing continuous bombardment. At least 40 individuals were reportedly killed in attacks across the territory on Saturday alone, according to Gaza's civil defense agency.
The IDF announced plans to facilitate the entry of tents into Gaza via aid agencies, signaling an impending displacement of potentially a million people from Gaza City to camps in the south. This move follows a recent vote by Israel's war cabinet to occupy Gaza City and displace its population, a decision that has drawn condemnation from the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, inside Israel, a one-day general strike is underway. Families of hostages and others are protesting the government's plan to seize Gaza City, arguing that escalating the war endangers the lives of Israelis held by Hamas.
Reports from Gaza City paint a grim picture. A spokesperson for the municipality stated that mass displacement is already occurring in Zeitoun after six days of intense Israeli air strikes, shelling, and demolition operations. The Zeitoun neighborhood, home to approximately 50,000 people, is facing severe shortages of food and water.
Ghassan Kashko, a resident sheltering with his family in a school, described constant explosions caused by air strikes and tank shelling, leaving them unable to sleep. Hamas issued a statement accusing Israeli forces of carrying out a "sustained offensive" in the eastern and southern neighborhoods.
Adding to the tragedy, reports indicate that a baby girl and her parents were killed in an Israeli airstrike that hit a tent in al-Muwasi, an area previously designated as a humanitarian zone by Israel. These incidents raise serious concerns about the safety of civilians and the targeting of designated safe zones.
IDF Preparing to Expel Gaza City Residents
The Israeli military is reportedly preparing for the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza City, claiming the move is intended "to ensure their safety." However, health officials report deadly attacks on previously designated safe zones, raising questions about the true purpose and impact of the displacement.
The planned displacement has sparked international alarm, particularly given the existing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the offensive has already displaced most of the population, resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths, and created a famine.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is closely watching the developments in Gaza City, with growing concerns about the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing conflict and the planned displacement of its residents.
