Israel orders 1.1m Palestinians to move to southern Gaza

JERUSALEM/GAZA: In a move fraught with tension, the Israeli army has directed more than 1 million Palestinians trapped in the northern region of the besieged Gaza Strip to relocate south within 24 hours. This directive comes as anticipation of an imminent ground offensive looms.

The casualty count escalates, with at least 1,537 Palestinians killed and 6,612 wounded in Israeli air attacks on Gaza. Meanwhile, the number of casualties in Israel has risen to 1,300.

UN Concerned Over Mass Relocation

The United Nations has voiced deep concerns over the feasibility of a mass relocation and warns of the potentially devastating consequences it may bring. Concurrently, the militant group Hamas dismisses Israel’s warning as “fake propaganda” and urges residents to disregard the order.

Iran Hints at Wider Conflict

In Beirut, Iran’s foreign minister alludes to the possibility of the conflict expanding to “other fronts” if Israeli airstrikes on Gaza persist.

EU Deems 24-Hour Relocation Unrealistic

Josep Borrell, the European Union’s top diplomat, labels Israel’s call for over a million Palestinians to move within 24 hours as “unrealistic.” He underscores the importance of alerting civilians about impending military operations but acknowledges the practical challenges involved.

Palestine Red Crescent Society Defies Evacuation

In defiance of Israeli threats, the Palestine Red Crescent Society stands firm, refusing to evacuate to the south. Their medics are determined to continue their humanitarian work, vowing not to leave those in peril.

Legal Expert Says No Justification for Indiscriminate Attacks

Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, underscores that the evacuation order for 1.1 million people from northern Gaza does not validate indiscriminate attacks on those who remain. Israel still has an obligation not to target or engage in indiscriminate fire against them.

Critical 24-48 Hours Ahead

Mahjoob Zweiri, a scholar at Qatar University, highlights the next 24 to 48 hours as pivotal in the ongoing conflict. Diplomatic efforts, led by the United States and other regional players, are underway. Israel’s evacuation order has added urgency to these discussions.

Arab League Condemns Forced Transfer

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the chief of the Arab League, condemns the Israeli evacuation order as a “forced transfer” and characterizes it as a “crime.” He accuses Israel of exacting revenge on civilians in Gaza rather than conducting a planned military operation.

UNRWA Warns of Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The UN’s Palestine refugee agency, UNRWA, sounds a dire warning, describing Gaza as rapidly descending into a “hell hole.” The agency criticizes Israel’s evacuation order as “horrendous” and predicts increased suffering among the population.

Jordan Clashes with Pro-Palestinian Protesters

In Jordan, riot police forcibly disperse hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters attempting to reach the border zone with the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Jordan expresses concerns about the regional repercussions stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict, given its significant Palestinian population.

Southern Israel Continues to Face Rocket Attacks

Palestinian fighters in Gaza persist in launching rockets toward Israeli settlements, prompting air raid sirens to sound in cities like Ashkelon and Sderot. Israel reports over 6,000 rockets fired from Gaza since Saturday.

Israel Pledges Controlled Bombing for Safer Evacuation

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari pledges that efforts will be made to limit attacks to enhance the safety of the northern Gaza Strip’s evacuation, emphasizing that the area remains a “war zone.”

Palestine Rejects Forced Displacement

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas conveys his rejection of the forced displacement of Gaza City residents and warns of a “second Nakba,” harking back to the mass displacement of Palestinians in the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation. He also calls for humanitarian corridors to avert a disaster.

Global Protests in Solidarity with Palestinians

Across the globe, tens of thousands of demonstrators take to the streets in solidarity with the Palestinians and to protest Israeli airstrikes. These protests span regions from Jordan to Yemen and have now reached as far as Iraq, Iran, Venezuela, Japan, and Australia. In France, police employ tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters. Similar rallies are planned in various European cities, including Rome, Munich, Istanbul, and Belgrade.