Israel Orders Evacuation of Gaza City; Global Outcry Follows

The Israeli military has ordered all residents of Gaza City to evacuate, a move seen as preparation for a major operation to bring the enclave’s largest urban area under military control. This is the first evacuation order covering the entire city, sparking deep fear among civilians already displaced and living in tents.

Israel says the assault aims to eliminate Hamas and rescue the remaining hostages. However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from around the world. Spain has banned arms shipments to Israel, accusing it of “genocide,” while Germany has suspended certain weapons exports.

According to Gaza health officials, more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with most of the enclave’s 2.1 million residents already displaced. Israel launched its offensive following Hamas’s October 2023 attack, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 taken hostage.

US President Donald Trump has said a new ceasefire proposal is underway, though previous peace efforts have collapsed due to deep divisions between Israel and Hamas.