Israel Renews Evacuation Warnings for Palestinians in Northern and Southern Gaza
Hundreds killed as Israeli airstrikes escalate; Hamas accuses Netanyahu of violating ceasefire commitments.
Watan-On Wednesday, the Israeli occupation army renewed its warning to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, ordering the evacuation of Beit Hanoun in the northern governorate and the towns of Khuza’a, Abasan al-Kabira, and Abasan al-Jadida in Khan Younis, in the south of the enclave.
Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets over these areas, warning residents to evacuate immediately ahead of a “strong attack” that the occupation army claims will target the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas.
The army also published a map highlighting in red the areas where Palestinians were warned to evacuate.
Avichay Adraee, the spokesperson for the Israeli occupation army for Arabic media, shared a post on the X platform, attaching a map of Gaza. He wrote: “We reiterate our warnings to residents of the sector located in the areas marked in red, specifically in Beit Hanoun (north), and Khuza’a, Abasan al-Kabira, and Abasan al-Jadida (south).”
He added: “You must evacuate immediately to known shelter centers in western Gaza City and those in Khan Younis.”
Issuing a threat, he continued: “Remaining in the designated areas endangers your lives and the lives of your family members,” indicating the Israeli army’s intent to bomb these areas.
Escalation of Attacks and Civilian Casualties
On Tuesday, Adraee had already warned Palestinians in the same areas to evacuate as the army intensified what has been described as genocide since the early morning hours.
West Gaza and the Al-Mawasi area—stretching along the Palestinian coastal strip from the south of Khan Younis to the north of Deir al-Balah (in central Gaza)—witnessed heavy Israeli bombardment. The strikes targeted displaced persons’ tents, killing dozens, including children.
Since Tuesday morning, Israel has significantly escalated its mass killings in Gaza, carrying out widespread airstrikes that primarily targeted civilians. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, these attacks resulted in 404 martyrs and more than 562 injuries.
The Government Media Office documented the deaths of 174 children, 89 women, and 32 elderly people in Tuesday’s massacres, adding to the total number of casualties.
Breaking a Fragile Ceasefire Agreement
Tuesday’s attacks marked the largest violation of the fragile ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States in January.
The Israeli airstrikes targeted residential homes, shelters, and refugee tents, causing massive destruction and unprecedented humanitarian suffering.
In early March 2025, the first phase of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel came to an end after 42 days, having started on January 19.
However, the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to initiate the second phase of the agreement, instead seeking the release of more Israeli captives without fulfilling its commitments—particularly, ending the war and fully withdrawing from Gaza.
Hamas’ Position and Continued Negotiations
In response, Hamas has reiterated its commitment to the agreement, demanding that Israel be held accountable for all its terms. The movement has called on mediators to immediately push forward negotiations for the second phase, which includes an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a complete halt to the war.
With U.S. support, Israel has been carrying out mass killings in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in over 161,000 Palestinian casualties, including the dead and wounded—most of them children and women. Additionally, more than 14,000 people remain missing.
