Israeli tanks have blocked the main route to Gaza City, halting the return of evacuees, as Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasizes the urgency for those still in the city to flee. The Israeli military has instructed the entire population of Gaza City, estimated at one million, to move south in a major offensive targeting Hamas fighters in the urban area.
Witnesses reported that tanks had erected obstacles on the primary southern exit road from Gaza City, allowing people to leave but not permitting re-entry for those seeking food or temporary shelter. Minister Katz stressed that this was the final opportunity for residents to relocate south and leave Hamas isolated in Gaza City amid the ongoing military operations.
Individuals departing the city would undergo screening by the military, according to Katz. The military launched an operation to reinforce control of the Netzarim Corridor, dividing northern and southern Gaza, without further details provided.
The UN estimates that around 600,000-700,000 people remain in Gaza City, with hundreds of thousands having fled due to Israeli advancements and building destruction. Despite the challenges, some residents expressed determination to remain, citing recent military actions as motivating factors.
Israeli airstrikes and tank bombardments persisted in Gaza City, resulting in at least 77 fatalities in the previous 24 hours, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry. Medics revealed that one strike killed nine individuals, including five from a single family near a designated humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi.
The escalating ground assault has severely impacted healthcare services in Gaza, with four medical facilities forced to close. Doctors at Al Shifa hospital highlighted the imminent threat of closure due to constant bombardment, raising concerns for vulnerable patients reliant on critical treatments like dialysis.