Israel's push on Gaza City triggers mass protests, global alarm

New Straits Times

a day ago

FEARING an Israeli onslaught could come soon, some Palestinian families began leaving eastern areas of Gaza City, now under constant Israeli bombardment, for points to the west and some explored evacuating further south.
Israel's plan to seize control of Gaza City has stirred alarm abroad and at home where tens of thousands of Israelis held some of the largest protests seen since the war began, urging a deal to end the fighting and free the remaining 50 hostages held by Palestinian fighters in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described Gaza City as Hamas' last bastion.
But, with Israel already holding 75 per cent of Gaza, the military has warned that expanding the offensive could endanger hostages still alive and draw troops into protracted and deadly guerilla warfare.
In Gaza City, many Palestinians have also been calling for protests soon to demand an end to a war that has demolished much of the territory.
An Israeli armoured incursion into Gaza City could see the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom have been uprooted multiple times earlier in the war.
"The people of Gaza City are like someone who received a death sentence and is awaiting execution," said Tamer Burai, a Gaza City businessman.
"I am moving my parents and my family to the south today or tomorrow. I can't risk losing any of them should there be a surprising invasion," he said via a chat app.
A protest is scheduled for tomorrow in Gaza City by different unions, and people took to social media platforms vowing to participate, for an end to the war.
The last round of indirect ceasefire talks ended late last month in deadlock.
Israel says it will agree to cease hostilities if all the hostages are released and Hamas lays down its arms — the latter demand publicly rejected by the group until a Palestinian state is established.
Last Saturday, the Israeli military said it was preparing to help equip Gazans with tents and other shelter equipment ahead of relocating them from combat zones to the south of the enclave. It did not provide further details on quantities or how long it would take to get the equipment into the enclave.
Palestinian economist Mohammad Abu Jayyab said at least 100,000 new tents would be needed to house those heading to central and southern areas of the coastal strip should Israel begin its offensive or the army orders Gaza City's entire population to evacuate.
"The existing tents where people are living have worn out, and they wouldn't protect people against rainwater. There are no new tents in Gaza because of the (Israeli) restrictions on aid at the (border) crossings," said Abu Jayyab.
He said some families from Gaza City had begun renting property and shelters in the south and moved in their belongings.
"Some people learnt from previous experience, and they don't want to be taken by surprise. Also, some think it is better to move earlier to find a space," Abu Jayyab added.
The United Nations humanitarian office said last week 1.35 million people were already in need of emergency shelter items in Gaza.
Since Oct 7, 2023, more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel's air and ground war in Gaza.