Gazan Nightmare Unveiled: Countdown to Tragedy as Israel's Evacuation Deadline Haunts the Streets

Tens of thousands of Palestinians are evacuating northern areas of the densely populated Gaza Strip as per the instructions of the Israeli military. According to Gazans, the southern regions are now experiencing even greater congestion and strain as numerous Palestinians are leaving their homes following Israel's announcement. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) is expected to launch a ground assault soon.

Over 1 million of Gaza's population resides in the northern section, which Israel has called for evacuation. With limited space, families, including those who were already internally displaced, are forced into a smaller area within the 140-square-mile territory.

The IDF announced on Saturday that residents would be permitted to travel safely along designated streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time (3-9 a.m. ET). It is advised that residents utilize this window to relocate from the northern region of Beit Hanoun to Khan Yunis in the south, a distance of approximately 20 miles filled with debris-covered roads.

The breach of international humanitarian law in the evacuation statement has been condemned by rights groups and several neighboring countries. Jordan's foreign minister went as far as denouncing it as a "war crime."

Israeli tanks from an artillery unit are seen near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 12, 2023. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Ronen Zvulun/Reuters

The Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies as more Palestinians are killed in Gaza, leading to an increasing death toll. The UN's Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), relocated its main operations from Gaza City to southern Gaza due to the Israeli announcement. UNRWA referred to the relocation as an "exodus" and revealed that in just one week, nearly 1 million people have been displaced.

Following a brutal attack initiated by Hamas that resulted in at least 1,300 casualties in Israel, the evacuation advisory was issued due to Israel placing Gaza under a complete siege. The Palestinian health ministry reports a distressing total of 2,215 civilian casualties in Gaza, including 724 children and 458 women, as the Israeli military relentlessly strikes the region.

Food may last us a day or two

The supply of food and water is rapidly depleting for Palestinians who have migrated southward, as well as those who remain in the northern region. Additionally, the absence of electricity has aggravated the situation, with those relying on fuel-powered generators facing an impending state of complete blackout. Furthermore, internet access, which serves as a vital medium for residents to share their challenging circumstances with the global community, is also diminishing.

Mohamed Hamed, a 36-year-old Gaza City resident, relocated to Nuseirat, a refugee camp approximately five kilometers northeast of Deir al-Balah, seeking a safer environment. Accompanied by 30 family members, including extended relatives, four children, and his pregnant wife in her eighth month, Hamed escaped from the northern area.

He expressed his concern to CNN, stating that they are concerned about the possibility of her going into labor without knowing where to seek medical assistance. Additionally, they are facing hardships with no access to healthcare, living in a small apartment without electricity, and running out of food and water.

"There is a lack of electricity and water. The bakeries are still operating but their supply of fuel is depleting rapidly," he stated. He also mentioned that the available food may only sustain them for a day or two.

Hamed, speaking to CNN over the phone, revealed that Nuseirat, a small area, has now accommodated numerous displaced Palestinians from the north. The only option for drinking water is limited to bottled mineral water, which is diminishing as people rush to acquire it.

A plume of smoke rises in the sky over Gaza City during an Israeli airstrike on Monday.

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"Everything in supermarkets and shops was used up," he said.

Shelling in Nuseirat is intense, but not as bad as it was in Gaza City, where neighborhoods were "entirely wiped out," he said.

Hamed expressed concern that the limited timeframe allocated by the IDF for Palestinians to seek "safe passage" towards the south may not suffice for the significant number of individuals needing to escape. Furthermore, he highlighted that some individuals residing in the northern region of Gaza are reluctant to evacuate due to apprehensions of being forcefully relocated to Egypt.

This would result in a second displacement for numerous people. Presently, a large portion of Gaza's population consists of refugees who were displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war when Israeli authorities assumed control over their original homelands.

Streets are filled with rubble, reek of blood

However, not all residents in the northern Gaza Strip have followed the Israeli Defense Forces' (IDF) instructions to relocate to the south. Hashem Al-Saudi, a Palestinian journalist, along with his family, have only moved from the east to the west of Gaza City, even though it is one of the areas that the IDF has advised civilians to evacuate. Al-Saudi, speaking to CNN over the phone, highlighted that residents are compelled to leave their houses to fill water tanks, thereby putting themselves in danger of being targeted by Israeli missiles.

Food is scarce, he said, and may not last his 11-member family more than three or four days.

"I say this jokingly, but those who are on a diet are eating more than us."

Al-Saudi claims that relocating south offers no safe haven and the path itself is perilous. He informed CNN that even those who ventured south have fallen victim to airstrikes.

According to Al-Saudi, there is no place of refuge within the Gaza Strip, stretching from the south in Rafah to the north in Beit Hanoun. He emphasizes that every location is subjected to attacks, including homes, shelters, hospitals, and places of worship.

The Israeli military targets everyone on this land, without distinguishing between civilians and soldiers. CNN has verified the location and authenticity of five videos depicting a significant explosion on Friday. The explosion occurred along a civilian route south of Gaza City, which Israel claimed would be safe.

A picture taken from Sderot shows smoke plumes rising above buildings during an Israeli strike on the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday

Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images

The footage depicts a grim landscape of destruction, with numerous lifeless bodies scattered throughout. Among the victims are several children, lying on a flatbed trailer that was seemingly deployed to transport them out of Gaza City. In addition, the images reveal a multitude of severely charred and wrecked vehicles.

The cause of the extensive destruction remains uncertain as the explosion took place on Salah Al-Deen street during Friday afternoon. CNN has contacted the IDF to obtain their comments regarding any airstrikes in that specific area.

According to Al-Saudi, "The situation surpasses what is portrayed on television." Numerous bodies remain unidentified, and refrigerators not designed for storing human remains are being utilized to house the corpses.

"Streets are filled with rubble and reek of blood."

Bracing for the worst

Earlier this week, the Israeli government implemented a full blockade on essential commodities entering Gaza, causing concern among human rights organizations who claim that this siege breaches international law. Israel, responsible for overseeing the majority of electricity, water, fuel, and certain food supplies within the Palestinian enclave, previously enforced a strict land, sea, and air blockade. However, it allowed limited trade and humanitarian assistance through two crossings under its control.

Refaat Alareer, a 44-year-old literature professor residing in Gaza City, divulged on Thursday that the shelves of his nearby supermarket are steadily becoming devoid of goods. Prior to Israel's evacuation notice to Gazans, Alareer was fortunate enough to secure cans of tinned tuna, taking care to avoid purchasing perishable items due to the absence of electricity, which would cause such food to spoil. Alareer, who shares his household with his wife and six children, explained that his neighbors adamantly leave behind containers of powdered milk on the shelves, ensuring that other parents can provide sustenance for their own families.

The Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt is seen on October 10.

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"I have never witnessed such remarkable discipline among people," he stated. "I refrained from purchasing any item that had increased in price compared to the previous week.

"What is truly captivating about residing in Gaza, in Palestine, is the profound sense of solidarity."

According to UNRWA, over 50% of Gaza residents experience food insecurity and live below the poverty line. Alareer expressed concern that blue collar workers, farmers, and street vendors will face the greatest hardships due to the blockade. He further stated, "We are preparing ourselves for the worst. The impact of this situation is undeniably genocidal in every aspect."

Aseel Mousa, a 25-year-old freelance journalist residing in Gaza, expressed her inability to contact her loved ones in different areas within the enclave due to the decreasing electricity supply. "Our access to the outside world is severed," she informed CNN on Thursday. "We are constantly hearing the sounds of bombings and air strikes, but we are uncertain about their exact locations."

"We are unable to contact our relatives residing in various parts of the Gaza Strip due to the lack of internet and electricity," she mentioned. On Friday, she disclosed that her family had moved from western Gaza to the south.

Alareer explained to CNN that he and his family have decided to stay in the north, disregarding Israel's evacuation recommendation, as they have no alternative living arrangements."

"Israel bombs (are) everywhere," he said.

Uncertainty at Rafah Crossing

Since 2007, Gaza has been under blockade ever since Hamas assumed control of the territory. Egypt enforces a land blockade, while Israel enforces a blockade on air, sea, and land. Following a recent attack by Hamas on Israel, the siege was intensified, leaving the Rafah Crossing as the sole passage point for entry or exit from the Gaza Strip, connecting it to Egypt's Sinai region.

Although aid has reached Egypt, it has not yet crossed the border. Earlier this week, the border on the Palestinian side was targeted by Israel, as confirmed by Palestinian and Egyptian officials. On Thursday, Egypt emphasized that its Rafah Crossing remained open, but CNN was unable to independently verify this claim.

Concrete slabs have been installed at the Rafah border crossing into Egypt, effectively blocking all gates, according to a Palestinian border official who spoke to CNN on Saturday morning. The official noted that a winch on the Egyptian side of the crossing was used to position the slabs. Furthermore, the official reported that numerous Palestinians holding foreign passports have been waiting on the streets for hours, but no one is being permitted to cross as the gates remain closed.

CNN has contacted Egyptian officials for a statement.

Other contributors to this report include Kareem El Damanhoury, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Paul Murphy, Celine Alkhaldi, Magdy Samaan, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, and Mohammed Abdelbary from CNN.