The displacement of Palestinians from northern Gaza to the south has begun

The Israeli army requested Palestinians living in the north of the blockaded Gaza Strip, estimated to number around 1.1 million people, to relocate to the south of the territory. In a written statement, the Israeli army (IDF) claimed that members of the Izeddin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, are hiding in tunnels and under houses in Gaza, as well as in buildings inhabited by civilians. In the statement, which stated that the armed wing of Hamas declared war on Israel, “Gaza City is an area where military operations are carried out. The IDF calls on all civilians in Gaza City to evacuate from their homes in the south for their own safety and protection and to move to the area south of the Gaza Valley as shown on the map. This evacuation is for your safety.“ “You will only be able to return to Gaza City (north of Gaza) when another announcement is made authorising this. Gaza City civilians, for the safety of yourself and your families, move south and away from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields.“ In the statement, which warned Palestinians in Gaza to stay away from the border fence, “In the coming days, the Israeli Armed Forces will continue important operations in Gaza City and will make great efforts to avoid harming civilians.“ 2.3 million Palestinians live in Gaza, which Israel has been blockading since 2007 and has a narrow area of approximately 360 square kilometres.