Gaza City: The Israeli military announced Wednesday that an evacuation of Gaza City is “inevitable” ahead of a planned offensive, as aid organizations warn that an expanded operation will worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis in the territory.
In a post on X, IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee advised residents to prepare to leave, claiming that Israeli forces have surveyed “vast empty areas” south of the city to assist displaced civilians. He promised that families who relocate would receive “the most generous humanitarian aid,” with infrastructure for tents, water, and aid distribution being set up.
According to reports, Aid groups, however, have raised the alarm, pointing to the catastrophic conditions already present. Most of Gaza’s over 2 million residents are already displaced, and neighborhoods lie in ruins. According to a new IPC analysis, famine has already been declared in Gaza City, with more than half a million people trapped in a state of widespread starvation. The UN has stated that more than 80% of Gaza is either a military zone or subject to displacement orders.
While the military prepares for an expanded offensive, ceasefire talks remain stalled. Hamas stated last week that it had accepted a proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators, but Qatar has since said that Israel has not yet officially responded and appears unwilling to reach an agreement.
The proposed deal reportedly includes a 60-day truce, the release of some of the remaining 50 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and a surge in humanitarian aid. Many within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition oppose such a phased deal, arguing that a wider offensive is the best way to secure the return of the hostages and eliminate Hamas’s capabilities. Protests in Israel, however, have been growing, with families of hostages demanding an immediate ceasefire.
In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to discuss plans for post-war Gaza. US envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News that President Donald Trump would also chair a separate meeting to discuss a “very comprehensive plan” for the future of the enclave. Witkoff also stated that the US’s official position is that the hostages should no longer be a part of the negotiations, but rather the focus should shift to defining Gaza’s future and Hamas’s role within it. ATP