Amid an expected Israeli ground assault and ongoing airstrikes, thousands of Palestinians in the north of the Gaza Strip fled their homes. Israel pledged to annihilate Hamas in response to a week-old offensive, during which Hamas fighters killed 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians and took numerous hostages.
The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas and home to 2.3 million Palestinians, has been under total siege by Israel, with unprecedented airstrikes causing significant destruction.
According to the Palestinian territory’s Hamas-controlled health ministry, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since the start of the conflict have resulted in at least 2,215 fatalities, including 724 children, and 458 women. Additionally, the attacks wounded at least 8,714 people, with the ministry noting that at least 324 people died within the last 24 hours.
Israel has designated two “safe routes” for over one million northern Gaza residents to exit to the southern part of the territory. The Israeli military has stated that there is a “safe passage window” between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on these routes, which run along the Gaza coast and through the center of the narrow Palestinian territory, which is approximately 40 kilometers long.
Many Gazans once again packed into buses, cars, and donkey carts to escape the northern area, where most Israeli air and artillery strikes have occurred. The Israeli military spokesman, Richard Hecht, urged residents of Gaza City not to delay their departure before the anticipated ground offensive and mentioned the safe routes.
Volatile Situation
Israel has faced calls from international entities, including the United Nations, the United States, and the European Union, to postpone a full-scale offensive to allow civilians more time to leave. US President Joe Biden stated that consultations were underway with regional governments to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where trapped Palestinians have experienced power blackouts and shortages of food and water amid intense Israeli bombing.
Hamas, on the other hand, has vowed to fight until the last drop of blood and urged residents to stay. The situation remains highly volatile, with Israeli ground troops having reportedly launched raids against Palestinian rocket crews and gathered information on the location of hostages. Israel’s ultimate objective in this conflict is to dismantle Hamas and its military capabilities, fundamentally changing the situation so that Hamas can no longer pose a threat to Israeli civilians or soldiers.
The ongoing conflict has taken a severe toll on the civilian population, with many individuals left with few options but to leave their homes and seek refuge in the south of Gaza. The situation is dire, and both sides remain determined in their resolve, despite international efforts to seek a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance for the beleaguered residents of Gaza.
