Israel continues squeezing Gaza population with new displacement orders
DaysofPal- The Israeli army issued fresh evacuation orders late last night targeting five areas in the northern Gaza Strip and Gaza City, signaling a likely expansion of its military operations amid ongoing escalation and mounting humanitarian catastrophe.
Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adrai announced that residents in Jabalia al-Balad and Atatra in the northern Gaza governorate, as well as the neighborhoods of Shujaiya, Daraj, and Zeitoun in Gaza City, must evacuate immediately and head west. He stated that these areas are now considered 'combat zones.'
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Adrai wrote, 'Terrorist organizations continue their destructive activity in the region, so the IDF will expand its offensive activity in the areas where they are located to destroy the capabilities of the terrorist organizations.'
This warning comes as part of what observers view as a continuing genocide that began on October 7, 2023, and coincides with Israeli declarations about expanding the war under the name Operation Gideon's Chariots.
In another dangerous development, the administration of Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza announced that Israeli forces began forcibly evacuating patients and medical staff from the facility, raising serious concerns about the safety of vulnerable civilians.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza condemned the action, stating it reflects 'a continuation of the occupation's crimes and violations against the health system in the Gaza Strip,' and urged all relevant international actors to intervene to protect medical infrastructure in line with international humanitarian law.
According to Hebrew media sources, the current Israeli campaign could extend over several months and entail 'the comprehensive evacuation of the entire population of Gaza from the combat zones, including northern Gaza, to areas in the south of the Strip.' Reports also indicate that the army plans to remain in any area it 'occupies.'
On May 22, Israeli media reported that the army aims to establish control over 75 percent of the Gaza Strip within the next two months. The Haaretz newspaper wrote, 'The Israeli army estimates that within two months, it will control 75 percent of the Gaza Strip, concentrating about two million Palestinians in three main areas: Gaza City, the central refugee camps, and the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.'
This latest escalation comes as the Gaza Strip endures what humanitarian agencies describe as an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. Since the closure of crossings on March 2, residents have faced extreme famine and critical shortages of food and medicine.
An estimated 1.5 million Palestinians out of 2.4 million have been rendered homeless due to the widespread destruction of homes by Israeli bombardments.
Since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, over 177,000 people have been killed or wounded, the majority of them women and children, according to Palestinian sources. More than 11,000 individuals remain missing, their fate unknown amid the rubble and devastation.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=63392
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Days of Palestine
21 hours ago
- Days of Palestine
Macron Warns of Tougher Stance on Israel if Gaza Blockade Persists
DaysofPal — French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday that France may adopt a tougher stance against Israel if the siege on the Gaza Strip is not eased—remarks that triggered a furious response from Israeli officials, who accused him of launching a 'crusade' against the state. Speaking at a joint press conference with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Macron stated, 'There is an urgent need to provide water, food, and medicine, and to allow the wounded to leave Gaza for treatment abroad.' He called on European countries to adopt a unified, firmer position: 'If there is no adequate response in the coming hours and days that reflects the gravity of the humanitarian catastrophe, we must consider imposing sanctions.' Macron emphasized that the ongoing blockade has created an 'untenable situation on the ground,' adding that he hopes Israel will shift its stance and enable a meaningful humanitarian response. The French president reaffirmed France's commitment to a political solution and reiterated support for the two-state solution as the only viable path to ending the war on Gaza. 'Creating a Palestinian state is not just a moral obligation—it is a political necessity,' he said. Macron did not confirm whether France would recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming international conference on the two-state solution, to be co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia at the United Nations in New York on June 18. However, he outlined several preconditions for recognition, including: The release of hostages held in Gaza, The disarmament of Hamas, Exclusion of Hamas from any future Palestinian government, Reform of the Palestinian Authority, Recognition of Israel's right to exist and live in security, And the establishment of a regional security framework. Israeli Backlash Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs sharply criticized Macron's remarks, accusing him of 'waging a crusade against Israel' and denouncing France's openness to recognizing Palestinian statehood. In a statement, the ministry accused Macron of rewarding 'terrorist jihadists' instead of exerting pressure on them, claiming such recognition would embolden hostile actors rather than deter them. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot responded via X (formerly Twitter), defending Macron's position: 'The idea of a Palestinian state serves Israeli security interests. It is the only alternative to endless war.' He added that France supports the creation of a 'demilitarized Palestinian state' within a broader regional security framework that includes Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar fired back, writing: 'You will not decide for Israelis what our national interests are,' firmly restating Israel's opposition to a Palestinian state. Tensions between Israel and Western powers have escalated amid mounting pressure. Earlier this week, France, Canada, and the United Kingdom jointly announced their readiness to recognize a Palestinian state as part of broader efforts to achieve a two-state solution, and said they are working with international partners to move forward on that goal. Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza The latest round of Israeli military operations in Gaza resumed on March 18, following Israel's withdrawal from a ceasefire agreement. According to Gaza's Ministry of Health, more than 4,000 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 11,000 injured since then. The United Nations reports that over 200,000 people have been displaced during this period. Since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023, Gaza's Ministry of Health estimates that around 54,000 Palestinians have been killed. Shortlink for this post:
Days of Palestine
21 hours ago
- Days of Palestine
Hamas consults Palestinian factions on new US ceasefire proposal in Gaza
DaysofPal – Hamas announced Friday that it is engaging in discussions with fellow Palestinian factions about a recent ceasefire proposal concerning Gaza. The Movement issued a concise statement explaining that it 'is consulting with Palestinian forces and factions regarding the ceasefire proposal recently received from US envoy Steve Witkov through mediators.' A day earlier, Hamas had disclosed that its leadership received a proposal from US representative Steve Witkov aimed at halting Israeli military operations in Gaza. The group stated that its leadership is 'studying the proposal responsibly, in a way that serves the interests of our people, provides relief, and achieves a permanent ceasefire.' In related developments, Ali Baraka, Hamas's Head of National Relations Abroad, met with representatives from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, General Command (PFLP-GC). The PFLP-GC delegation was headed by Assistant Secretary-General Abu Emad Ramez and included politburo member and Lebanon representative Abu Kifah Ghazi. Hamas was represented in the meeting by Ayman Shanaa, head of National Relations in Lebanon, and Ziyad Hassan from the National Relations Office. The discussion centered on recent Palestinian developments, particularly Israel's ongoing assault in Gaza and the war of genocide and starvation waged by the Israeli occupation government for over 600 days, resulting in the killing and injury of more than 170,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children. Both organizations commended the resilience of Gaza's Palestinian population, who they said 'are facing one of the most horrific genocidal wars in modern history amid international inaction.' Participants in the meeting rejected plans for Judaization, settlement growth, and forced relocation while affirming Palestinian rights to defend their people, territory, and religious sites and to resist occupation. They advocated for Palestinian unity and coordinated efforts to counter 'Zionist and American schemes aiming to liquidate the Palestinian cause in favor of the occupation.' The groups also pressed the international community to denounce the Israeli offensive, actively pursue an end to the genocide in Gaza, and implement concrete measures to halt the military operations. Both sides also called for coordinated Arab and Islamic responses to the ongoing Israeli strikes against Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. Regarding Palestinian refugees, they identified this as central to the Palestinian issue and fundamentally political. They maintained that a fair resolution requires refugees to return to their homeland while emphasizing the need for dignified living conditions and support for their perseverance toward this objective. The participants concluded by stressing that approaches to Palestinian presence in Lebanon should be holistic rather than solely security-focused, arguing that dialogue between Lebanon's government and the Joint Palestinian Action Committee represents the proper framework for protecting both Lebanese and Palestinian interests. Concurrently, Israeli occupation forces continue to breach the Gaza ceasefire agreement that became effective January 19 and remained in place for approximately two months, following 471 days of genocide. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli forces have continued their offensive in Gaza with full American support, killing and injuring over 178,000 Palestinians, while thousands more are still missing under the rubble. Shortlink for this post:
Days of Palestine
21 hours ago
- Days of Palestine
The Israeli aid mechanism: A deadly trap of killing and displacement
DaysofPal- In a harrowing scene that starkly exposes the humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza, thousands of desperate Palestinians swarmed a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution center in Rafah on May 26, triggering chaos that ended in bloodshed. Israeli occupation forces responded to the mass gathering with gunfire, initially into the air, then reportedly at civilians, leaving ten Palestinians dead and at least 62 injured, according to Gaza's Government Media Office. On May 31, the tragedy deepened. Sources at Nasser Medical Complex confirmed that four more Palestinians were killed by Israeli occupation forces while attempting to reach the American company's aid center west of Rafah. These deaths raise further alarm about the conduct and intent behind the militarized aid effort. Israel continued its aerial attacks across the Strip earlier that day. Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli drone strike targeting the town of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Yunis. In a separate attack, another was killed and one injured in an airstrike on the al-Sikka area in Gaza City's center. The aid center, backed by the United States and Israel, was established as part of a controversial initiative that bypasses the United Nations and operates under Israeli military supervision. Critics say that in addition to lacking neutrality, the initiative serves as a strategic weapon of war, employing aid as pressure and leverage. 'There was no trace of humanity in what happened,' said Jehad Al-Assar, a Rafah resident who walked for over 90 minutes to reach the center. 'The crowd nearly crushed me. Foreign armed forces stood by and did nothing.' Weaponizing aid: A 'facade for violence and displacement' International condemnation quickly followed. Thomas Fletcher, the UN's top humanitarian official, denounced the program as a 'facade for further violence and displacement,' accusing it of tying aid delivery to Israel's political and security demands. Another UN official bluntly described the plan as 'weaponizing aid.' On May 25, one day before the chaos, GHF Executive Director Jake Wood resigned, citing the impossibility of upholding humanitarian principles under current conditions. 'I will not be part of a plan that entails the forced displacement of Palestinians,' Wood said, urging Israel to open all crossings for unrestricted humanitarian access. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, expressed horror at the violence: 'The images and videos from the GHF aid points are heartbreaking, to say the least… We and our partners have a detailed, principled, operationally sound plan supported by member states to get aid to a desperate population.' Mass displacement and a manufactured famine The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli siege for over 600 days. Since October 7, 2023, Israel has methodically blocked aid, destroyed agricultural infrastructure, and bombed food storage facilities, pushing the enclave of 2.4 million people into catastrophic levels of hunger. The GHF initiative has drawn particular ire for forcing civilians to pass through Israeli military checkpoints and identity checks, with food distribution guarded by armed foreign contractors. The Washington Post called the plan a dangerous militarization of aid delivery that 'portends more chaos and shooting.' Amjad Shawa, director of the Gaza NGO Network, told Al Jazeera that only the UN has the capacity and credibility to deliver aid safely and equitably. 'The goal of establishing military aid points is to pressure the residents of northern Gaza to migrate south,' he said. The Israeli military is still pursuing its campaign of annexation and devastation of territory. On May 31, the Hebrew outlet Walla cited Israeli army sources claiming control over large parts of Khan Younis, stating that areas are being deliberately 'emptied of civilians' and infrastructure destroyed to prevent return. A starvation campaign as a tool of war The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food warned this week that Gaza is entering a new and dangerous phase of its starvation crisis, calling it a 'deliberate campaign of genocide' in flagrant violation of international law. Since early March, Israel has effectively sealed off the Strip, cutting off even basic humanitarian aid, particularly food, to Gaza's north. The Israeli strategy appears designed to engineer mass displacement, using hunger as a lever of control. The Government Media Office in Gaza described the events in Rafah as 'a deliberate massacre and a full-fledged war crime, committed in cold blood against civilians weakened by over 90 days of siege-induced starvation.' Shortlink for this post:
