Forced evacuation orders precede Gaza’s hurricane: the city of one million under threat

9th September 2025

2 minutes read

Forced evacuation orders precede Gaza’s hurricane: the city of one million under threat

New Israeli evacuation orders have been issued to residents of Gaza City ahead of a renewed offensive aimed at seizing control of the largest urban center in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

On Tuesday, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee posted a warning on X: “Urgent message to all residents of Gaza City and everyone in its neighborhoods, from the Old City and Al-Tuffah in the east to the sea in the west. The Israel Defense Forces are determined to defeat Hamas and will act with great force in the area of Gaza City, just as they have throughout the rest of the Strip.”

He added: “For your own safety, evacuate immediately via Al-Rashid axis (the coastal road) towards the humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi (south). Remaining in the area is extremely dangerous.”

The announcement came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Gaza residents to “leave immediately.” He stated: “I say to the people of Gaza, seize this opportunity and listen carefully: you have been warned—leave now.”

Israel had earlier declared that it would intensify airstrikes on the Strip following the shooting deaths of six people in Jerusalem. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that “a powerful hurricane will strike Gaza’s skies,” after the army struck several high-rise buildings in recent days.

The battle for Gaza City, home to roughly one million Palestinians, further complicates ceasefire negotiations. Netanyahu insists that Israel has no choice but to “finish the mission” and defeat Hamas, which continues to refuse to lay down its arms.

International critics warn that Israel’s plan to seize the city could deepen the humanitarian disaster facing Gaza’s 2.2 million residents, many of whom are already at risk of famine. Mediation efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have so far failed to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas in order to reach a ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining hostages.

Since the war began on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’s cross-border attack that killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, Israel says it already controls 75% of the Strip. According to Israeli figures, 20 of the 48 remaining hostages in Gaza are still alive.

In contrast, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports more than 62,000 Palestinians killed, the internal displacement of nearly the entire population, and the destruction of much of the territory.