Israeli authorities have issued an order for the evacuation of civilians from the central and southern parts of Gaza City. This directive comes as tensions escalate in the Middle East, with armed supporters of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrating Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip on October 7th. The Hamas militants targeted civilians and took over 200 hostages, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a state of war. In response, Israel initiated a ground operation aimed at rescuing the hostages and completely eradicating Hamas.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there are currently 32 shelters in the designated area, accommodating more than 141,000 individuals who were previously displaced from the northern region of the Palestinian enclave.
In addition to the evacuation order, Israel has halted the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the Gaza Strip, while also conducting intense shelling.
On December 5th, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched the third phase of their ground operation in the Gaza Strip, surrounding the city of Khan Yunis in the southern part of the region.
On November 22nd, Israel and Hamas agreed to a humanitarian ceasefire and the release of some hostages. Over the course of the week-long ceasefire, Hamas freed 110 captive hostages.
Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously vowed to destroy Hamas, and the ongoing conflict reflects the escalating tensions in the region.
