Israeli Military’s Final Evacuation Warning for Gaza City
The Israeli military has issued what it claims is the final warning for residents of Gaza City to evacuate as its bombardment intensified on Wednesday. Reports indicate that Hamas is contemplating modifications to Donald Trump’s ceasefire ultimatum.
Casualties and Military Operations
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that this was the last chance for residents to move to southern Gaza as the military surrounded the city. Gaza’s civil defense agency reported that at least 46 people had been killed by Israeli forces, with 36 casualties occurring in Gaza City.
ICRC Suspends Operations
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced it had to halt its operations in Gaza City due to the escalation of Israeli attacks. Katz emphasized that anyone remaining in the area would be viewed as terrorists or supporters of terrorism.
Forced Displacement and Legal Concerns
Experts in international humanitarian law have asserted that evacuation orders can qualify as forced displacement, and civilians who stay in these designated areas maintain their protected status under international law. The Israeli military previously announced the closure of the last route allowing residents to move south, effectively splitting Gaza in two.
Hamas’s Response to Trump’s Proposal
Hamas is reportedly looking to seek amendments to Trump’s Gaza plan, which requires disarmament and bars the group from any governing role. A Palestinian source noted that Hamas may request modifications related to disarmament and international guarantees for their leadership’s safety.
International Reactions
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that some aspects of the Trump plan require further discussion, a view echoed by Qatar. The response from the U.S. and Israel concerning any qualified response from Hamas is yet to be determined amid recent threats against the group.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Trump’s plan is the sole proposed ceasefire to resolve the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate. Among the reported consequences of the conflict, two more Palestinians died from starvation in the past 24 hours, raising the total hunger-related deaths to 455 since the war’s onset nearly two years ago. The situation remains dire, with at least 51 Palestinians reported killed in the last day alone, according to health authorities.
