Israel Warns Gaza City Residents to Leave Ahead of Intensified Assault

TDT | Manama

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Israel’s military on Tuesday warned it would use “great force” in Gaza City and called on residents to evacuate, as the country prepares for a major operation against Hamas in the Palestinian territory’s largest urban center.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the warning, saying the bombardment was only the beginning of a wider ground offensive.

“To all residents of Gaza City, the defence forces are determined to defeat Hamas and will act with great force in the Gaza City area,” said Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee in a statement on X. He urged civilians to leave through the Al-Rashid road.

Witnesses reported that Israeli planes dropped leaflets over Gaza City urging people to head south. But many residents said they had nowhere safe to go.

“Bombing and killings are everywhere,” said Khaled Khuwaiter, 36, who fled the Zeitun neighborhood. “We have only God, because the world watches our slaughter and does nothing.”

Footage from the city showed widespread destruction, with buildings reduced to rubble and smoke filling the sky. Families were seen leaving on trucks, tractors, or pushing heavy carts loaded with belongings.

In a video message on Monday, Netanyahu told Gaza residents: “You have been warned, leave now. This is just a prelude to a major ground operation.”

Meanwhile, Hamas condemned the warning, describing it as an “explicit act of forced displacement.”