JERUSALEM: The Israeli military has issued a stark warning to residents in the northern Gaza Strip, declaring that those who remain in the area and do not heed the previous evacuation orders to move to the south may be deemed associates of “terrorists” and could face deadly consequences. Urgent warning flyers were dropped from Israeli aircraft into the besieged enclave, urging Palestinians to relocate to the southern part of the Gaza Valley.
The flyers read: “To the residents of the Gaza Strip, being in the north of the Gaza Valley puts your lives in danger. Anyone who does not go to the south of the Gaza Valley and chooses not to stay in the northern area may be killed as an associate of the terrorist organization.”
Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed the authenticity of the statements on the flyers, linking them to the Israeli military.
Earlier on Saturday, the Israeli military ordered the immediate evacuation of the Al-Quds Hospital as a precautionary measure. In addition, twenty hospitals in northern Gaza were directed to evacuate on the same day.
The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and blockade since October 7, began when Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a surprise attack involving rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. This action was in response to the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and escalating violence by Israeli settlers.
Subsequently, the Israeli military initiated Operation Swords of Iron, targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza is currently grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, with a shortage of electricity, diminishing water, food, fuel, and medical supplies.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” to alleviate the immense human suffering in the region.
