Dangerous Combat Zone: Israel Warns Gaza Residents Against Returning

The Israeli army warned on Saturday that residents of Gaza City should not return to the city or surrounding areas.

The Israeli military spokesperson stated in a post on X that the area still constitutes a “dangerous combat zone”, due to ongoing military operations in the northern part of the enclave.

He added that “remaining in the area north of the Gaza Valley poses a significant risk,” urging residents not to return to northern Gaza or any area where the army is conducting field operations.

The warning comes as the news site Axios reported, citing Israeli sources, that the army plans to shift from “offensive operations” to “defensive operations” inside Gaza, which includes halting the plan for full control of Gaza City, after months of fighting that have caused extensive destruction and heavy human losses.