Israel unveils temporary evacuation path for Gaza City residents
The Israeli military has launched a major ground operation in Gaza City on Tuesday, aiming to oust Hamas from one of its last strongholds in the war-ravaged territory. This move comes after months of escalating tensions and a series of deadly attacks, sparking a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives in Palestine and Israel.
Israeli forces have pushed deeper into Gaza City's largest urban hub, with the Israeli army estimating there are 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants in central Gaza City. The ground assault is aimed at crushing Hamas, according to the Israeli army.
The war between Israel and Hamas was ignited by Hamas's October 2023 attack on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians. Israel's retaliatory campaign has been equally devastating, with at least 64,964 people, mostly civilians, killed according to figures from the territory's health ministry in the Israel vs Palestine conflict.
The conflict has caused widespread displacement, with about 40% of residents in Gaza City having fled the Israeli military's ground operation. The Israeli army has opened a temporary new route for people to flee Gaza City, with 'more than 350,000' having done so thus far.
Many Palestinians interviewed by AFP in Gaza insist there is no safe place in the territory, and they would rather die in their homes than be displaced yet again. People in Gaza speak of relentless bombing in Gaza City, much of which is already in ruins after nearly two years of Israeli strikes in the Israel war.
The United Nations estimated that around one million people lived in Gaza City and its surroundings at the end of August. Residential blocks like the one in the north of Gaza City have been hit by Israel's bombardment, leaving only huge piles of rubble.
International reactions to the conflict have been mixed. Countries like Germany, the UK, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand have expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself while criticizing certain military plans that worsen humanitarian conditions. Conversely, many African, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries, as well as some Latin American states, have recognized Palestine as a state and tend to side with the Palestinian cause in the Israel vs Palestine conflict.
Turkey, Qatar, and Arab League countries have condemned Israel’s actions and voiced support for Palestine. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Tuesday in Doha to ask the Gulf country to stay on as a mediator in the Gaza talks.
Qatar and France have urged Israel to stop its assault on Gaza City, with Qatar calling it 'an extension of its genocidal war against the Palestinian people.' However, Israel categorically rejects this characterization, stating that its actions are necessary to protect its citizens from Hamas's attacks in the war in Israel.
UN investigators have found that 'genocide is occurring in Gaza and is continuing to occur,' according to commission chief Navi Pillay. Israel, however, disputes this report, stating that it is biased and lacks factual accuracy.
The Israeli military unleashed a massive bombardment of Gaza City before dawn on Tuesday, with the temporary transportation route being via Salah Al Din Street. The conflict continues, with both sides showing no signs of backing down in the Israel vs Palestine conflict.
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