Deadline for Evacuation of Civilian Population in Gaza Approaches

The Israeli army has urged 1.1 million Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes within 24 hours and move south ahead of an expected ground assault by Israel. Hamas has called on residents to stay put, according to Voice of America.

Israeli army spokesperson Admiral Daniel Hagari said on Friday that Israeli forces, with tank support, have conducted assaults toward the Gaza Strip to target Palestinian rocket crews and gather information about the whereabouts of hostages. This marks the first official report of Israeli military activity in Gaza since the outset of the crisis.

Hamas claims it will fight until the last drop of blood and demands that residents remain in Gaza. On Friday, several thousand residents from northern Gaza headed south, yet many chose to stay. Calls echoed from mosques: “Protect your homes. Preserve your land.”

Israel has vowed to obliterate Hamas for the October 7 attack in which Hamas militants killed 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians, and took dozens of hostages.