Gaza, Sept 10 (V7N) – Palestinians in war-torn Gaza City faced renewed panic on Tuesday after Israeli warplanes dropped thousands of leaflets ordering residents to evacuate immediately, warning of an imminent large-scale assault aimed at eliminating Hamas from what Israel describes as its last major stronghold.
 
Once home to nearly one million people, Gaza City now lies in ruins after weeks of bombardment that leveled residential towers and left civilians trapped amid rubble and destruction. The Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has signaled for weeks that a decisive operation was coming.
 
"I say to the residents of Gaza, take this opportunity and listen to me carefully: you have been warned — get out of there!" Netanyahu declared in a public statement.
 
The sudden evacuation orders triggered chaos and despair among residents, many of whom insist there is no safe place to flee. Some, like 55-year-old mother of six Um Mohammad, said they would reluctantly move south to join family members, while others vowed to remain despite the escalating danger.
 
Health authorities in Gaza announced plans to evacuate Al Shifa and Al Ahli, the city’s two remaining functional hospitals, though doctors emphasized they would not abandon patients.
 
Aid agencies warned that the forced exodus risks worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis, with limited shelter, food, and medical support available in southern Gaza. Despite the urgency of Israel’s warnings, there were no immediate signs of a mass exodus from the city.
 
News Source: Reuters 
 
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