The Israeli military has issued an immediate evacuation order for all residents of Gaza City, warning of an expanded ground offensive that could worsen the severe humanitarian crisis in the region. This development comes as part of Israel’s intensified efforts to seize control of the territory’s largest urban center, amid stalled ceasefire negotiations and international condemnation.
The evacuation order was announced on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, through social media posts and leaflet drops, instructing civilians to leave via specified routes such as the Al-Rashid axis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously warned residents on Monday to evacuate immediately, signaling a ramp-up in military operations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are currently assembling for a ground maneuver into Gaza City, following days of intensified airstrikes that have targeted buildings allegedly used by Hamas.
This offensive is part of the nearly two-year conflict that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel’s strategy aims to demilitarize Gaza and assume security control, but critics argue it risks further civilian casualties and displacement. The planned takeover of Gaza City, home to around 1 million Palestinians, complicates ongoing mediation efforts by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to secure a ceasefire and hostage release.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic, with the UN and other organizations reporting a man-made famine, particularly in Gaza City. Gaza’s health ministry has recorded 399 deaths from famine and malnutrition, including 140 children, and over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war started. Nearly the entire population of 2.2 million has been displaced, facing inadequate aid, overwhelmed hospitals, and dire living conditions in overcrowded tent camps like al-Mawasi.
International leaders have strongly condemned Israel’s actions. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused Israel of “exterminating a defenceless people” and violating international law by bombing hospitals and causing starvation. The evacuation order has sparked panic among residents, many of whom have nowhere safe to go, as southern areas are already under frequent bombardment and lack basic resources.
Ceasefire negotiations have failed to bridge gaps between Israel and Hamas, with Israel stating that 20 of the remaining 48 hostages are alive. The expanded offensive could lead to further forced displacement and casualties, deepening the crisis and drawing more global calls for humanitarian intervention. The world watches anxiously as the situation escalates, with fears of increased suffering and regional instability.