Thousands of Palestinians are continuing to flee Gaza City, a day after Israel said it had begun a major ground offensive aimed at occupying the city. Amid large-scale bombing overnight, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported that al-Ranitisi children's hospital was targeted in three separate attacks, forcing half of its patients and their families to evacuate.
The Israeli military stated it was investigating these reports and had struck more than 150 'terror targets' across Gaza City in the past two days. Israel's objective is to defeat up to 3,000 Hamas fighters in what it describes as their 'last stronghold.' However, this military action has elicited widespread international condemnation.
Leading humanitarian organizations have urged global leaders to act, labeling the conditions in Gaza as 'unconscionable' and calling for urgent intervention. In recent days, large groups of Palestinians have been fleeing southward from Gaza City, using various transportation mean including donkey carts, vehicles burdened with belongings, and on foot. The current evacuation route down the coastal road to an Israel-designated 'humanitarian area' in al-Mawasi has been the only path until the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a second route down the central Salah al-Din road, open for 48 hours.
However, many are unable to afford the high prices for transportation or accommodation, with reports of small truck rentals costing up to 3,000 shekels (approximately $900) and tents selling for about 4,000 shekels. Several have recounted harrowing experiences of fleeing, struggling to find shelter in overcrowded areas designated as 'safe.'
The IDF noted that around 350,000 individuals have fled Gaza City amid the military operations, while the UN estimates a significantly lower figure, reflecting ongoing chaos and uncertainty. As accusations of genocide against the Israeli military are made, families of hostages held by Hamas have expressed deep concern, protesting that the offensive puts their loved ones at risk.
UN officials and various global leaders have described the situation in Gaza as worsening, with fears that intensifying military actions will further drive civilians into 'even deeper catastrophe.' Conclusive statements from the UN Commission of Inquiry linking Israeli actions with genocide have drawn both condemnation and denial from Israeli officials, amid a continuous cycle of violence that has seen immense loss of life and relentless humanitarian crises.
The Israeli military stated it was investigating these reports and had struck more than 150 'terror targets' across Gaza City in the past two days. Israel's objective is to defeat up to 3,000 Hamas fighters in what it describes as their 'last stronghold.' However, this military action has elicited widespread international condemnation.
Leading humanitarian organizations have urged global leaders to act, labeling the conditions in Gaza as 'unconscionable' and calling for urgent intervention. In recent days, large groups of Palestinians have been fleeing southward from Gaza City, using various transportation mean including donkey carts, vehicles burdened with belongings, and on foot. The current evacuation route down the coastal road to an Israel-designated 'humanitarian area' in al-Mawasi has been the only path until the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced a second route down the central Salah al-Din road, open for 48 hours.
However, many are unable to afford the high prices for transportation or accommodation, with reports of small truck rentals costing up to 3,000 shekels (approximately $900) and tents selling for about 4,000 shekels. Several have recounted harrowing experiences of fleeing, struggling to find shelter in overcrowded areas designated as 'safe.'
The IDF noted that around 350,000 individuals have fled Gaza City amid the military operations, while the UN estimates a significantly lower figure, reflecting ongoing chaos and uncertainty. As accusations of genocide against the Israeli military are made, families of hostages held by Hamas have expressed deep concern, protesting that the offensive puts their loved ones at risk.
UN officials and various global leaders have described the situation in Gaza as worsening, with fears that intensifying military actions will further drive civilians into 'even deeper catastrophe.' Conclusive statements from the UN Commission of Inquiry linking Israeli actions with genocide have drawn both condemnation and denial from Israeli officials, amid a continuous cycle of violence that has seen immense loss of life and relentless humanitarian crises.
