Photo: IDF spokesperson
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has called on residents of the eastern neighbourhoods of Gaza City to leave their homes immediately due to a planned military operation. The appeal was issued by Colonel Avihai Edrai, the IDF spokesperson for Arabic-language communications.
“In order to destroy the terrorist infrastructure”
The statement emphasises that Israeli forces “will operate in your neighbourhoods to destroy terrorist infrastructure”. The IDF calls on civilians to evacuate immediately for their own safety and suggests that they relocate to refugee centres in western Gaza.
The warning is addressed to residents of the districts:
– Shujaiah
– Ahya al-Jadida
– Turkuman
– Nufus
– Zaytun
A sign of a large-scale operation
Such warnings usually precede large-scale IDF ground or air operations in densely populated areas where the army believes Hamas or other groups may be operating. Such warnings have been used many times during operations to minimise civilian casualties.
The situation in the Gaza Strip remains extremely tense: Israel continues its military operations after 7 October, and the IDF is stepping up its efforts to destroy Hamas militants and underground tunnels.
International organisations are calling on both sides to respect humanitarian law, but the intensity of fighting in densely built-up areas of Gaza is only increasing.
