32m ago
06.57 CEST
The Israeli government has ordered all remaining Palestinians to leave Gaza City.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz said it was their “last opportunity” and that anyone who stayed would be considered a militant supporter and face the “full force” of Israel’s latest offensive.
About 400,000 Palestinians have fled famine-stricken Gaza City since Israel launched a major offensive last month aimed at occupying it. But as the Associated Press reports, hundreds of thousands remain, many because they cannot afford to leave or are too weak to make the journey to tent camps in the south.
Katz posted on X on Wednesday:
This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south. Those who remain in Gaza will be (considered) terrorists and terror supporters.
The road south was packed as Palestinians fled, with hastily loaded trucks and cars driving alongside people on foot carrying their belongings.
“We left barefoot,” said Hussein al-Del. The Israelis “were striking at random, with no mercy for anyone”.
We left behind our food, our furniture, blankets, and everything. We left only with our souls.