Jerusalem: Israel on Wednesday announced the opening of a new evacuation route from Gaza City, giving civilians a 48-hour window to flee as its forces prepare to escalate operations against Hamas.
The Salahudin Road, designated as a “safe corridor,” is the latest passage marked for civilians to move south. Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets urging residents to evacuate by Friday noon using yellow-marked routes. “Movement must only take place via the streets marked in yellow on the map,” the leaflets said, warning civilians to head south immediately.
The Israeli military estimates nearly 100,000 civilians remain in Gaza City and cautioned that prolonged, intense urban combat is likely in the coming months if no ceasefire is reached.
Yet, hundreds of thousands continue to shelter in the city, reluctant to move due to fear of permanent displacement, unsafe routes, and dire conditions in southern Gaza. “Even if we want to leave Gaza City, is there any guarantee we would be able to come back? Will the war ever end?” asked Ahmed, a school teacher from Sabra.
Humanitarian organisations and the United Nations have condemned the evacuation orders as forcible transfers, warning of potential violations of international law. Local health officials said at least 30 Palestinians were killed in fresh airstrikes on Wednesday, 19 of them in Gaza City.
Israeli troops, a day after formally launching their ground offensive, advanced into western and central zones of the city. Officials said the push is aimed at clearing civilians before intensifying the campaign in the coming weeks.
Diplomatic efforts for a truce remain fragile. Israel’s targeting of Hamas leaders in Doha last week strained ties with Qatar, a key mediator. During a visit to Doha, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned there was “a very short window of time” left for a ceasefire before Israel’s full assault became irreversible.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to strike Hamas leaders anywhere, despite global criticism, including rare disapproval from Washington. A UN Commission of Inquiry this week accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, charges Israel rejected as “scandalous” and “fake.”
