The Israeli military spokesperson for Arabic media, Col. Avichay Adraee, issued Tuesday morning an evacuation order to all residents of Gaza City ahead of an expected military strike.
"To everyone living or staying in Gaza City and its neighborhoods, from the Old City and Tuffah in the east to the sea in the west. The IDF is resolute in defeating Hamas and will operate in Gaza City with overwhelming force, as it has done throughout the Strip. For your safety, evacuate immediately via Al-Rashid road to the humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi. Remaining in the city is extremely dangerous."
The notice also included a phone number for residents to report "Hamas roadblocks or attempts to stop evacuation."
This evacuation announcement will be accompanied by major aerial operations in the coming hours or days to further push civilians to leave.
A security official told Israel Hayom that about 100,000 people have evacuated Gaza City so far, and the hope is that the numbers will now rise. Still, estimates hold that between 100,000 and 300,000 people will remain in Gaza City as human shields for Hamas.
The official further said that accepting President Donald Trump's proposal is Hamas' only way to avoid a ground invasion of Gaza City. If the group refuses, Israel is committed to pursuing the military campaign in the city to its conclusion.
