Citizens of Gaza are on their way to leave the city to the southern safer parts by whatever vehicles they can find with their belongings after the United Nations (UN) reported that the Israeli army wanted 1.1 million civilians in Gaza to leave their homes and move to the south of the region in Gaza City, Gaza on October 13, 2023

Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty

In a press release issued Friday, theIsrael Defense Forces(IDF) said that it is calling “for the evacuation of all civilians of Gaza City from their homes southwards for their own safety and protection and move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza."

“The Hamas terrorist organization waged a war against the State of Israel and Gaza City is an area where military operations take place,” the statement continued. “This evacuation is for your own safety.”

The IDF further said that Hamas militants in the city are hiding in tunnels underneath houses and in buildings with innocent civilians, calling for residents to “distance” themselves from members of Hamas “who are using you as human shields.”

Military authorities also said that civilians may return to Gaza when another announcement is made, per the statement.

Burnt out vehicles in Ashkelon, Israel, after Hamas rockets launched an attack on Oct. 7, 2023.AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty

Burnt out vehicles in Ashkelon are pictured following a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty

“Since 7 October, over 423,000 people have already been displaced. Of them, more than 270,000 have taken refuge in UNRWA shelters, where basic food, medicine and support is provided to retain dignity and a glimmer of hope,” Lazzarini added. “The scale and speed of the unfolding humanitarian crisis is bone-chilling. Gaza is fast becoming a hell hole and is on the brink of collapse.”

Lazzarini urged the two sides to follow the laws of war and that humanitarian help must be provided to civilians. “The time for humanity to prevail is now," the U.N. official said.

Israeli soldiers ride a tank near the Israel-Gaza border on Oct. 9, 2023.Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty

Israeli soldiers on a tank are seen near the Israel-Gaza border. Fighting between Israeli soldiers and Islamist Hamas militants continues in the border area with Gaza

Ilia Yefimovich/picture alliance via Getty

Hamas militants have also reportedly kidnapped 150 people and brought them into Gaza, perBBC News.

On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with King Abdullah II of Jordan on Friday to discuss the Hamas attacks and efforts to free the hostages.

A statement from theU.S. State Departmentabout the visit read: “The Secretary underscored that Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination and discussed ways to address the humanitarian needs of civilians in Gaza while Israel conducts legitimate security operations to defend itself from terrorism.”

source: people.com