Gaza Strip, September 9, 2025 — Israel has ordered the complete evacuation of Gaza City, signaling the launch of a decisive military campaign aimed at taking full control of the territory’s largest urban center. The directive, delivered through leaflets, text messages, and loudspeaker announcements, has triggered a wave of panic among residents already enduring nearly two years of war.
A City on the Move
Nearly one million Palestinians have been told to leave their homes and head toward designated “safe zones” in the south, particularly the coastal area of al-Mawasi. Yet, many families remain skeptical, fearing that these so-called humanitarian corridors are neither safe nor capable of sheltering such a massive influx of displaced people. Al-Mawasi is already overcrowded and short on basic necessities like food, water, and medicine.
Despite the evacuation order, many civilians are refusing to move, either because they lack transportation or because they fear being targeted along the evacuation routes. For others, leaving means abandoning what little they have left of their homes and livelihoods.
Military Build-Up and Strategy
Israeli officials describe the evacuation as a final step before launching a ground assault into Gaza City. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that recent airstrikes, which have leveled multiple high-rise buildings, were merely “the introduction” to a larger and more aggressive phase of the campaign.
Israel claims to have regained control over most of Gaza since the conflict erupted in October 2023, but Hamas forces are believed to remain entrenched in Gaza City, making it the last and most difficult battleground.
Mounting Humanitarian Fears
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is already dire. Months of bombardment and a prolonged blockade have left hospitals overwhelmed, infrastructure shattered, and food supplies dangerously low. Aid organizations warn that a full-scale assault on Gaza City could lead to catastrophic levels of civilian suffering.
Families fleeing southward face treacherous journeys with little guarantee of safety or shelter. Human rights groups say the evacuation order amounts to forced displacement, while regional leaders warn that the unfolding crisis could destabilize the wider Middle East.
Diplomatic Stalemate
International mediators, including Qatar and Egypt, have been pressing for a ceasefire agreement and a possible hostage exchange, but the latest escalation has stalled negotiations. Western governments have expressed concern over the humanitarian toll, while Israel maintains that the offensive is necessary to eliminate Hamas’s operational capacity.
What Comes Next
The coming days are expected to determine the scale of both the military operation and the humanitarian fallout. Israel appears determined to press forward with its offensive, while civilians in Gaza face impossible choices—stay and risk the battle to come, or leave and confront the dangers of displacement.
For many, the order marks yet another chapter of uncertainty in a war that has already reshaped lives across the region.
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