New Evacuation Orders Issued in Central Gaza Amid Rising Tensions

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced immediate evacuation orders for Deir al-Balah, a densely populated city in Gaza, raising concerns about an impending military offensive. With thousands of displaced Palestinians already in the area and reports of casualties from Israeli airstrikes, the situation remains critical as humanitarian needs escalate.

The Israeli military has issued urgent evacuation orders for a heavily populated area in central Gaza, which it has not targeted with ground forces in over 21 months of fighting against Hamas. On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) instructed residents and displaced persons in the city of Deir al-Balah to evacuate immediately towards al-Mawasi on the Mediterranean coast, a move that has sparked significant panic among the local population and families concerned about hostages possibly held in the vicinity.

While the IDF has carried out airstrikes in this region, ground troops have yet to be deployed. The military dropped leaflets instructing residents in several districts of southwest Deir al-Balah to abandon their homes and move southward. “The (Israeli) Defense Forces continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy's capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area,” the military stated, noting that this area had previously avoided ground engagement.

The neighborhoods affected by the evacuation demand are filled with displaced individuals living in makeshift tents. According to Israeli sources, the military's focus on these regions has been limited due to concerns that Hamas may hold hostages there. Current estimates suggest that at least 20 of the approximately 50 hostages believed to be in captivity are still alive.

As a result of ongoing hostilities, the majority of Gaza's over two million residents have been displaced at least once, with many evacuation orders issued throughout the conflict. These latest orders coincide with reports from health officials at Gaza City's Shifa Hospital, which claimed that more than 40 individuals had been killed by Israeli gunfire as crowds gathered for the anticipated delivery of UN aid supplies.

Additionally, hospitals in southern Gaza reported casualties, as civilians increasingly face threats while attempting to obtain humanitarian assistance. The UN has highlighted the dire conditions residents are facing in Gaza, where starvation is on the rise, calling for a swift influx of essential goods. Nevertheless, accounts have surfaced of Palestinians being killed in their attempts to access aid, particularly since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) began operations under US and Israeli supervision in late May. Witnesses claim that many casualties have resulted from actions taken by Israeli forces.

Israel's current military campaign in Gaza was initiated in response to a Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023, that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and led to 251 individuals being taken hostage. Since then, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly claimed the lives of more than 58,895 individuals in Gaza, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run health ministry, which are regarded as one of the most credible sources of casualty statistics available.