Israel has demanded that civilians abandon Gaza City and march toward a newly designated coastal strip in Khan Younis, described as a “humanitarian zone.” The move, announced after weeks of relentless bombardment, underscores a strategy of forced displacement that has already uprooted families countless times. Aid groups and regional governments warn the latest order is part of a broader effort to empty Gaza’s largest city, leaving its population to face unending cycles of flight, hunger and despair.

The Evacuation Order and the Assault on Gaza City

Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee told residents via social media to leave immediately for Al-Mawasi, assuring them of food and medicine — promises many Palestinians no longer believe after months of being bombed in areas Israel itself had declared “safe.” The army, ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to capture Gaza City at all costs, has poured in tens of thousands of reservists and intensified airstrikes. The operation, opposed even by segments of Israel’s own military leadership, has pulverized entire neighborhoods.

Regional Condemnation and Warnings of Ethnic Cleansing

Egypt’s foreign minister dismissed Israel’s narrative of “voluntary” movement as “nonsense,” stressing that people under bombardment have no choice but to flee. Arab diplomats warn the policy amounts to mass expulsion, deliberately driving Palestinians from their homes under fire. Before the war, Gaza City housed around one million people; now, with over 64,000 Palestinians killed and most of the enclave in ruins, Israel’s claim of humanitarian concern is widely seen as hollow.

Hostages, Diplomacy, and Growing Israeli Isolation

While families of captives plead for a negotiated release, Netanyahu insists on an “all-or-nothing” deal — demanding Hamas surrender outright and release all hostages simultaneously. His intransigence has dragged out talks, even as U.S. President Donald Trump admitted negotiations were “very deep.” Critics argue that Netanyahu’s strategy prolongs the war to serve political survival, leaving both hostages and civilians to pay the price.

Israel’s campaign has left it increasingly isolated on the world stage. Even traditional allies have condemned the devastation of Gaza and questioned the government’s refusal to consider a ceasefire.

What Comes Next

The forced exodus order illustrates a grim reality: Gaza’s civilians are trapped between bombardment in the north and false promises of safety in the south. Many say they will not move again, exhausted by nearly two years of continuous displacement. Aid organizations warn conditions are “unthinkable,” with no guarantee of shelter, food, or security in the so-called safe zone. Israel’s war — justified by its leaders as a fight against Hamas — is instead dismantling the very fabric of Palestinian life.