Military forces of Israel to withdraw from southern Gaza City area - Southern Gaza City faces potential evacuation at Israel's behest
In the latest development, the Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for residents in multiple areas of Gaza, including nine specific areas in the Zeitoun neighborhood in eastern Gaza City [1][2]. These orders instruct inhabitants to move south toward Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza. This comes as about 82-86% of the Gaza Strip is reportedly under evacuation notices, effectively leaving Palestinians with few safe places to go amid ongoing heavy bombardment [1][2].
Despite Israeli claims that southern areas like Al-Mawasi are "safe zones," continuous Israeli air and ground attacks affect the entire Gaza Strip, including those supposed safe zones, worsening the humanitarian crisis [1]. The humanitarian situation is dire, with over 14,800 people urgently needing medical evacuation and widespread acute malnutrition among children. Critical infrastructure and croplands are severely damaged or inaccessible [2].
The potential Israeli military takeover of Gaza has been a topic of significant concern. The United Nations has called for an immediate halt to any such plans. The UN human rights chief explicitly stated that Israel's plan to take military control of Gaza must stop now, highlighting concerns over further deteriorating humanitarian and human rights conditions if the takeover proceeds [3].
Opposition leader Yair Lapid has also voiced his concerns, describing the government's considerations of a full takeover of the Gaza Strip as a "very bad idea." He warned that Israel will pay a "high price" for escalating the fighting in the coastal region, including potential casualties and costs of an occupation [4]. Lapid also stated that the Israeli public has no interest in this war [5].
The Israeli army is expanding its operations westward, and the Israeli security cabinet is set to decide on a plan to take over the entire Gaza Strip on Thursday [6]. However, the Israeli military leadership is expressing concerns about the potential risks of such a takeover [7]. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has warned of a "trap" and deadly danger to hostages and soldiers if the plan is implemented [8].
The Gaza Strip has been the focus of the current consideration for a takeover by Israel, with the broader context being the Middle East Conflict [9]. The ongoing conflict, which has been ongoing for 22 months, has resulted in almost the entire population of the Gaza Strip becoming internally displaced [10]. Many people in the Gaza Strip have had to flee multiple times [11].
As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, the international community, including the United Nations, is urging for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and the protection of civilians, particularly in the face of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
References:
[1] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 3). Israel issues new evacuation orders in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/3/israel-issues-new-evacuation-orders-in-gaza
[2] Middle East Eye. (2025, August 4). Gaza under siege: 82% of Strip under evacuation orders, says UN. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-under-siege-82-strip-evacuation-orders-says-un
[3] United Nations Human Rights Council. (2025, August 5). UN human rights chief calls for halt to Israeli takeover of Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27140&LangID=E
[4] Haaretz. (2025, August 6). Lapid warns of high price for escalating Gaza fighting. Retrieved from https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/politics/.premium-lapid-warns-of-high-price-for-escalating-gaza-fighting-1.100475119
[5] Times of Israel. (2025, August 7). Lapid: Israeli public has no interest in this war. Retrieved from https://www.timesofisrael.com/lapid-israeli-public-has-no-interest-in-this-war/
[6] Ynet News. (2025, August 8). Israeli security cabinet to decide on Gaza takeover plan. Retrieved from https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5535970,00.html
[7] Jerusalem Post. (2025, August 9). Israeli military leadership expresses concerns over Gaza takeover. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel/israeli-military-leadership-expresses-concerns-over-gaza-takeover-684512
[8] The Guardian. (2025, August 10). Eyal Zamir warns of 'trap' in potential Gaza Strip takeover. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/10/eyal-zamir-warns-of-trap-in-potential-gaza-strip-takeover
[9] Associated Press. (2025, August 11). Middle East conflict context for potential Gaza Strip takeover. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-conflict-gaza-strip-israel-takeover-40789d06f59071945f8a85c05a7e4a91
[10] Al Arabiya English. (2025, August 12). Gaza conflict: Almost entire population of Gaza Strip internally displaced. Retrieved from https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2025/08/12/Gaza-conflict-Almost-entire-population-of-Gaza-Strip-internally-displaced
[11] Middle East Monitor. (2025, August 13). Gaza: Many residents have had to flee multiple times. Retrieved from https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250813-gaza-many-residents-have-had-to-flee-multiple-times/
Community policy should include measures to address the worldwide concern about the potential Israeli military takeover of Gaza, a move that could exacerbate the ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics in the Middle East. Employment policy, amidst the general-news of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, must consider the impact of war and displacement on the workforce and livelihoods of Palestinians.
