On September 9, 2025, Israel’s military ordered all residents of Gaza City, roughly one million people, to leave immediately. The evacuation comes as Israeli forces prepare for a major ground offensive aimed at taking full control of Gaza City and dismantling Hamas’s stronghold there.
PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned Palestinians, “This is only the beginning of the intensified ground maneuvre in Gaza City.” The order reflects the government’s determination to escalate its military campaign and target Hamas across the city.
Evacuation Routes & Humanitarian Challenges
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) instructed residents to head west along the Rashid coastal road toward Al-Mawasi, which Israel has marked as a “humanitarian zone.” Maps dropped from the air indicated routes for civilians to move toward the sea before travelling south. Despite these clear instructions, only about 70,000 residents—less than 10% of the city’s population—have fled so far.
Many people are confused or hesitant, unsure if the route is safe. Humanitarian organizations warn that shelters in the southern zones are already overcrowded, and resources are far below what is needed to support the influx of displaced people. Israel has supplied just 3,000 tents, a small fraction of its goal of 100,000 within three weeks.
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Military Actions Intensify
Israeli forces already control roughly 40% of Gaza City and have stepped up airstrikes on multiple high-rise buildings suspected of housing Hamas operatives. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the operation as a “mighty hurricane,” signalling a sharp escalation in the conflict.
The IDF has emphasized that its objective is to strike Hamas with overwhelming force from east to west, including the Old City, Tuffah, and the shoreline areas.
International Reactions and Concerns
The UN and other international organizations have voiced serious concerns about Israel’s operations humanitarian effects. War crimes could be committed if a whole city is forced to flee under threat of military attack, according to many.
Although it’s unclear if all of the new sites will be completely functional, the US and Israel intend to increase the number of humanitarian distribution centres operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation from four to sixteen.
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Background of the Conflict
A Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023 sparked the current conflict. Since then, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced, and over 64,000 have died. Diplomatic efforts, such as mediation attempts by the former US and Qatar.
President Donald Trump has failed to bring peace. Hamas has refused to disarm or release all hostages, further complicating the situation.
Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
Due to the widespread evacuation and ongoing bombing, a humanitarian catastrophe is imminent. Millions of citizens are experiencing food shortages, insecurity, and relocation, while thousands of tents and humanitarian supplies are insufficient.
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In response to growing international pressure to safeguard civilians and avert any catastrophe in Gaza City. Israel is intensifying its military actions.
