Israel has ordered the entire population of Gaza City to leave, as its forces prepare to capture the north of the Gaza Strip. Israeli airstrikes have continued to destroy tower blocks, with the army claiming control over 40% of the city. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that about 100,000 people had evacuated, but nearly a million residents remain, many unwilling or unable to leave.

Residents like Ammar Sukkar and Wael Shaban express their defiance, emphasizing their connection to the land amid the chaos. Conditions are dire, with shortages of food, water, and shelter reported in already overcrowded humanitarian zones where aid organizations deem it unfeasible to accommodate the influx of displaced individuals.

Amid rising tensions, Netanyahu calls Gaza a stronghold of Hamas, continuing military operations to dismantle it while laying plans for humanitarian aid distribution, which has faced criticism for its execution in the past.

The situation is complicated by insurgency tactics from Hamas fighters and rising pressure on Israeli leaders concerning families of hostages. This embattled backdrop highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis as residents cling to their homes in the face of escalating armed conflict.