Good morning.
Hamas has called on Palestinians to stay in their homes after Israel issued
sweeping evacuation orders for almost half of Gaza’s more than 2.3 million people ahead of an expected ground offensive.
The Hamas authority for refugee affairs today told residents in the north of the territory to “remain steadfast in your homes and to stand firm in the face of this disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation”.
Israel has ordered the evacuation of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, home to hundreds of thousands of people. Palestinians would only be able to flee south within Gaza as Israel has completely sealed off the territory. Civilians inside Gaza are confused and terrified, with fears about being unable to flee from what would amount to the largest displacement in decades, in a tiny enclave that is just 365sq km in total. An estimated 1.1 million people live in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, which includes Gaza City and its outskirts.