PALESTINE – Israel expands evacuation orders in Gaza Strip today (Sunday), just after issuing another one on Saturday that targeted central Gaza. The new evacuation orders now target at least 17 densely populated areas of northern Gaza in Gaza City and Jabalia.
A statement, released by army spokesperson Avichay Adraee, called on residents of at least 17 areas including eastern Zeitoun, the Old City, Tuffah, Daraj, Sabra, Jabalia al-Balad, Jabalia Camp, and Tel al-Zaatar, to “immediately evacuate south to the Al-Mawasi area” or face lethal consequences.
The army warned that operations in the area would escalate further and expand westward towards central Gaza City.
Rights groups and Palestinian officials have condemned such forced displacement orders as collective punishment and part of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, which killed over 60 Palestinians across the enclave on Saturday alone.