Gaza Crisis Escalates: Mass Exodus as Israeli Troops Mobilize near Border
Tens of thousands forced to flee their homes in Gaza as Israeli troops amass near border, escalating concerns for worsening conditions in the war-ravaged region
According to the United Nations humanitarian body, tens of thousands of individuals in Gaza have evacuated their residences following a severe evacuation order issued by the Israeli military on Friday. This has sparked global concerns as Israeli troops assemble near the border and the conditions inside the bombarded strip deteriorate. Furthermore, as per a statement from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 400,000 Palestinians were already displaced within Gaza due to the ongoing week of conflict and relentless Israeli airstrikes.
The number of people in northern Gaza who were warned by the IDF to evacuate their homes immediately has increased. This warning was issued in response to the October 7 attacks by the Islamist militant group Hamas. Images from Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas, depict a significant exodus towards the southern region of the coastal enclave on Friday. Civilians packed into various modes of transportation, such as cars, taxis, pickup trucks, and even carts pulled by donkeys. The roads were congested with long lines of vehicles loaded with suitcases and mattresses.
Those without other options walked, carrying what they could. Some have stayed put regardless, telling CNN they felt nowhere was safe.
Palestinians with their belongings flee to safer areas in Gaza City after Israeli air strikes on October 13, 2023.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
One week has passed since Hamas carried out a brutal and unprecedented attack on Israel on Saturday morning. The devastating assault resulted in the death of over 1,300 individuals and the capture of both civilian and military hostages, who are currently believed to be held in Gaza. This surprise attack, often referred to as Israel's equivalent of 9/11, witnessed a series of heavily armed Hamas fighters storming through rural Israeli towns, kibbutzim, and army bases.
In response, Israel implemented a full-scale blockade on Gaza, encompassing the denial of essential supplies such as food, water, and fuel. Additionally, they launched their most intense airstrike campaign on the region to date. Concerned international observers caution that this blockade will result in the tragic loss of innocent lives in Gaza due to starvation, disease, and insufficient medical assistance for the increasingly mounting numbers of casualties.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Israeli strikes in Gaza have resulted in the death of more than 1,900 Palestinians, including 614 children.
Amidst a heightened siege of Gaza, Israel is mobilizing a substantial number of troops and military resources at the border. However, the specific details regarding the IDF's upcoming operation or its timeline remain uncertain.
Israel originally informed UN officials on Thursday that Gaza residents should be relocated within 24 hours. However, Israel has now admitted that the process of mass migration will require more time, creating additional uncertainty. Lt. Col. Peter Lerner, a spokesperson for the IDF, stated on Friday that any given deadline for relocation may not be met. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, another IDF spokesperson, alleged on Saturday that Hamas is obstructing the evacuation of Palestinian civilians through various means, including messages, checkpoints, and physical blockades on the ground, which has been reported in the media.
When CNN asked about the evacuation order implying a forthcoming ground incursion, Conricus responded that the IDF would evaluate the ground situation and assess the number of remaining civilians in the area. He further stated that significant combat operations would only begin once the conditions deemed it permissible.
The order issued by the IDF has caused concern internationally and received harsh criticism from certain human rights organizations. This is particularly alarming considering the deteriorating situation in the isolated enclave, where residents claim to have no means of escape and are facing shortages of essential supplies, leading to an increase in fatalities.
OCHA head Martin Griffiths expressed his disbelief and concern over the order to evacuate 1.1 million people from northern Gaza, stating that it goes against the regulations of war and basic human values. He emphasized the destruction of roads and homes in Gaza, leaving the affected population with nowhere to find safety.
Griffiths criticized the fact that fearful and traumatized civilians, including women and children, are being forced to relocate from one densely populated area to another without any break in the ongoing conflict and without receiving necessary humanitarian assistance. He strongly condemned this approach as dangerous and unacceptable, warning of the severe humanitarian repercussions it would entail.
A plume of smoke rises in the sky over Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on Monday.
Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images
Israel is at war with Hamas. Here's what to know
Over one million children, along with more than two million Palestinians, reside in the Gaza Strip, a highly densely populated area spanning 140 square miles. Since 2007, Israel has imposed a comprehensive blockade on the territory, encompassing land, sea, and air routes. Even prior to the current conflict, over half of Gaza's population lived below the poverty line. Presently, there remains only a single corridor, connecting Gaza to Egypt, through which Palestinians can seek refuge or aid can enter. However, the operational status of this passage remains uncertain.
The World Food Programme distributed food to 135,000 individuals in shelters throughout Gaza on Friday. However, they cautioned that there is a shortage of humanitarian supplies. Furthermore, OCHA stated that the majority of the population in the area currently lacks access to water. They noted that as a desperate measure, people are resorting to consuming brackish water from agricultural wells, raising significant concerns about the potential spread of waterborne diseases.
The Israeli ambassador to the UN responded on Friday, stating that the government is taking all possible measures to reduce civilian casualties by issuing the evacuation order. The ambassador also accused the UN of not supporting Israel's right to self-defense. This report includes contributions from CNN's Helen Regan, Caitlin Hu, Mohammed Tawfeeq, Akanksha Sharma, Sophie Jeong, Nadeen Ebrahim, Sophie Tanno, Nada Bashir, Ali Younes, Rhea Mogul, and Laura Paddison.
