Date: September 6, 2025
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have issued a sweeping evacuation order for residents of Gaza City, urging them to head south toward a newly designated “humanitarian zone” in the Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis. The directive marks one of the most significant escalations in Israel’s campaign to seize control of the city, which it describes as a central stronghold for Hamas.
Humanitarian Zone Announced
According to Israeli officials, the Al-Mawasi zone has been equipped with field hospitals, desalination systems, food supplies, and shelter for displaced families. However, humanitarian organizations remain skeptical, pointing to previous incidents where so-called safe zones were struck by airstrikes, including in Al-Mawasi itself. Aid groups have warned that civilians may have little reason to trust such assurances after nearly two years of relentless bombardment.
Fighting Intensifies in Gaza City
The IDF reported this week that its forces now control about 40 percent of Gaza City. Heavy clashes have been concentrated in neighborhoods such as Zeitoun and Sheikh Radwan, where residents describe entire blocks flattened and families trapped under rubble. Despite the evacuation order, many civilians say they prefer to remain in their homes, fearing the dangers of displacement as much as the ongoing fighting.
Humanitarian Toll
The war, which began in October 2023, has taken a devastating toll. Local health authorities estimate that more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed, while countless others face starvation and disease amid collapsing infrastructure. Food shortages, lack of clean water, and damaged medical facilities have left the population on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable, with malnutrition rapidly increasing.
Egypt’s Strong Rejection
Egypt has condemned the Israeli evacuation directive, calling claims of “voluntary” displacement misleading and “nonsense.” Officials in Cairo accuse Israel of creating famine conditions to pressure civilians into leaving their homes. Egypt continues to push for an immediate ceasefire and has criticized Israel for rejecting earlier proposals that included both a temporary truce and a hostage exchange.
A City Under Siege
Once home to nearly one million people, Gaza City is now a shell of its former self, battered by months of bombardment and ground operations. Israel maintains that capturing the city is essential to defeating Hamas, but international observers warn that the ongoing mass displacement and destruction could trigger an even deeper humanitarian disaster.
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