Thousands of Palestinians have fled parts of Deir el-Balah in the Gaza Strip as the Israeli military issued fresh evacuation orders and its forces advanced deeper into the crowded city center.
The area had previously been designated by Israel as a “safe humanitarian zone” for civilians, but the Israeli military ordered residents, many of whom have already been displaced several times, to leave ahead of a new military operation.
Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said parts of Deir el-Balah were now considered a “dangerous combat zone,” urging residents to move west in anticipation of an imminent attack in the area.
The alert forced thousands of civilians to flee on foot, carrying small bags and some basic necessities such as blankets, bedding and some food, witnesses said.
Last week, the UN refugee agency (UNRWA) said Israel had reduced “safe areas” in Gaza to just 11 percent of the territory, causing widespread panic and fear among displaced people.
According to the Gaza government’s media office, two million people in the enclave have been displaced by the ongoing Israeli offensive, which has killed at least 40,265 people and injured 93,144 since October.
The ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, and relentless bombing has left much of the territory in ruins.