Image of Gaza City: Photo credits: ABC News

The Israeli military on Tuesday ordered residents of Gaza City to evacuate immediately, in what appears to be the clearest indication yet that it is preparing for a full-scale invasion of the densely populated urban center.

The evacuation order affects hundreds of thousands of people still in Gaza’s largest city, forcing civilians to make a dangerous decision: either remain in the city under intensified bombardment or flee southward to areas that are already overcrowded and in ruins.

Military’s Warning

Image of the spokesman for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), Avichay Adraee.

Avichay Adraee, an Arabic-language spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), announced the directive in a statement on social media.
“The Israel Defense Force is insistent on finishing Hamas and will act in Gaza City with great force as it has in all areas of the strip. For your safety, evacuate immediately,” Adraee said.

The statement suggests that Israel views the capture of Gaza City as a critical step in dismantling Hamas’ military and political infrastructure.

Cease-fire Talks Stalled

The announcement comes amid ongoing but stalled indirect cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, mediated by regional and international actors.

Both sides remain entrenched in contradictory positions over the terms of a truce and the release of hostages, with little progress made despite weeks of talks.

Diplomatic sources say that while international mediators are pressing for humanitarian pauses and de-escalation, Israel’s military rhetoric points instead to escalation.

Humanitarian Concerns

The evacuation order has intensified fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis. Many of those fleeing face few safe options:

• Overcrowded shelters in southern Gaza are already beyond capacity.
• Basic services — including food, clean water, electricity, and medical care — remain severely strained.
• Large parts of southern Gaza have been destroyed by repeated bombardments, raising doubts about whether civilians can find real safety there.

Humanitarian agencies have warned that further mass displacement under current conditions could push the enclave to the brink of collapse.

International Reaction

International observers fear that an all-out assault on Gaza City could result in high civilian casualties, drawing global condemnation and further complicating cease-fire efforts.

Governments and aid organizations are urging Israel to allow humanitarian corridors and guarantee civilian protection, though such assurances remain uncertain.

Meanwhile, Hamas has yet to issue an official response to the evacuation order, but the group has previously accused Israel of pursuing a “scorched earth” strategy designed to depopulate northern Gaza.

With Israeli forces massing around Gaza City and issuing direct orders to evacuate, military analysts say a ground invasion could begin within days. If carried out, it would mark one of the most significant and destructive phases of the war, with consequences not only for Gaza’s civilian population but also for regional stability.