Israel has issued an urgent evacuation order to 1.1 million residents in northern Gaza, instructing them to move to the southern territory within the next 24 hours as the area may witness escalation in the ongoing conflict between the exclusive Jewish state and Hamas.
The directive, aimed at evacuating the north of Wadi Gaza, was confirmed by a UN spokesperson to a foreign news agency, who urged Israel to revoke the order on humanitarian grounds.
The Israeli military, in a statement, also called for the evacuation of all Gaza City residents, emphasizing their safety and protection.
Despite this, the United Nations expressed deep concern, labeling the mass evacuation a “tall order” and warning of devastating humanitarian consequences. The UN further appealed for the order to be rescinded, fearing a tragic escalation of the ongoing crisis in the region.
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has reached a grim milestone, with at least 1,799 Palestinians and over 1,300 Israelis losing their lives in the recent Israel-Hamas war. Among the casualties, 583 Palestinian children have tragically perished, with thousands more wounded in the Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, international leaders, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are intensifying efforts to address the escalating crisis. Blinken met with Palestinian Authority Head Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah II, discussing strategies to prevent the conflict from widening and to secure the release of hostages.
The UN’s response to the evacuation call has sparked controversy, with Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, criticizing the organization for what he termed a “shameful” stance. He called on the UN to focus on condemning Hamas and supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.
The situation remains fluid as the international community grapples with the urgent need for a peaceful resolution amid rising tensions and widespread humanitarian concerns.
A Security Council meeting on the Israel-Hamas situation is scheduled for Friday to address the escalating crisis.
