Thousands of Palestinians have fled Gaza City since Monday night, while many others continue to resist leaving their homes despite the intensifying Israeli attacks, which have killed at least 16 people in recent hours. According to the Times of Israel, citing army estimates, around 20,000 people left the city overnight, while Palestinian sources reported that thousands more fled south from various neighborhoods of the enclave’s capital.
Israel announced in August its intention to take full control of Gaza City with the stated aim of dismantling the militant Hamas units that are believed to still be operating in the area. Within this framework, the Israeli army has repeatedly urged the entire civilian population to evacuate to designated “humanitarian zones” in the southern part of the Strip, arguing that it is a necessary step to ensure their safety.
According to official army figures, more than 300,000 Palestinians have already left the city, which previously housed close to one million people, while the Hamas-controlled press office places that number at 350,000 displaced people. Eyewitnesses told the German Press Agency that the Monday night bombings were particularly intense and destroyed numerous buildings in different parts of the city.
Local medical sources confirmed that at least 16 people have died since midnight as a result of the strikes. In recent weeks, the Israeli army has demolished dozens of high-rise buildings, claiming that Hamas had set up observation posts and planted explosive devices there to hinder the advance of Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, Israeli media reported —citing Palestinian sources— that Hamas had moved several of the Israeli hostages it has held since October out of the underground tunnels, placing them in houses and tents in an attempt to deter airstrikes in certain areas. According to these reports, the mother of one of the abducted individuals stated that her son is being held on the surface in Gaza City and used as a human shield.
None of these claims have been independently verified so far. The situation in Gaza City is becoming increasingly critical amid a deepening humanitarian collapse and growing fears that the fighting could escalate even further in the coming days.
