Israeli Military Plans Forced Displacement of Gaza City Residents Amid Deadly Strikes

The Israeli military has announced preparations to expel residents from Gaza City, claiming the move is intended to protect civilians. The declaration, however, comes as health officials in Gaza report that at least 40 people were killed in the latest attacks, including a baby and her parents inside a tent in an area previously marked as a humanitarian zone.

The plan, unveiled on Saturday, follows Israel’s stated intention to launch a new offensive to seize Gaza City—the enclave’s largest urban center. International observers have voiced concern, warning that the campaign could escalate an already dire humanitarian crisis. Months of bombardment and siege have displaced most of Gaza’s population, caused mass civilian casualties, and pushed the territory into famine.

According to Israeli officials, tents and other supplies would be distributed from Sunday onward to prepare residents for relocation toward southern Gaza. Yet no clear timeline for the mass displacement was provided. Critics note that Israel has repeatedly attacked zones it designated as “safe,” including al-Muwasi, where the baby and her family were killed.

Humanitarian groups warn conditions are worsening, particularly in Gaza City’s Zeitun neighborhood, where tens of thousands remain trapped without reliable access to food, water, or medical care. Civil defense officials describe the situation as “catastrophic,” while rights organizations accuse Israel of ethnic cleansing and violations of international law.

The UN expressed concern that forced relocations will deepen civilian suffering but cautiously welcomed Israel’s decision to allow more shelter equipment into Gaza. Still, both Palestinian officials and international agencies stress that nowhere in the enclave is genuinely safe.

Meanwhile, protests are rising within Israel, as families of hostages and civil groups demand an end to the war and accountability for the humanitarian disaster.