The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued a directive on Friday, 13 October, ordering the evacuation of the northern part of the Gaza Strip, which an estimated 1.1 million individuals inhabit within 24 hours. Although the Israeli military has not formally declared the intention for a ground offensive, the order, which a United Nations (UN) spokesperson conveyed, raises concerns regarding the possibility. A definitive decision has not yet been made, the Israeli military announced on Thursday, 12 October. Stéphane Dujarric, a UN spokesperson, has described the evacuation order as “impossible” due to the anticipated severe humanitarian repercussions, urging Israel to rescind any such directive, saying they could “transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation.” “The call from the Israeli Forces to move more than 1 million civilians living in northern Gaza… is horrendous. This will only lead to unprecedented levels of misery and further push people in Gaza into an abyss,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. Between 7 and 12 October, Israeli forces conducted approximately 6,000 airstrikes on Gaza, as confirmed by the Israeli Air Force (IAF). This number of bombings in five days equals…
Israel Orders the Evacuation of 1.1 million Residents from Northern Gaza
October 13, 2023
