On September 9, 2025, Israel’s military issued an unprecedented order urging the entire population of Gaza City—nearly one million residents—to evacuate in preparation for a forthcoming ground offensive targeting what it deems Hamas’s last stronghold.
Why It Matters
- The evacuation directive was delivered through airdropped leaflets, warning of imminent military action. Prime Minister Netanyahu echoed the urgency: “You have been warned—get out of there!”
- The suggested refuge is al-Mawasi, a humanitarian zone in southern Gaza—already overcrowded, insufficiently equipped, and itself impacted by recent bombings, raising serious doubts about civilian safety.
- Leaving home isn’t an option for many: relocation costs over $1,000, beyond the reach of most Gazans.
- The order amplifies a deepening humanitarian crisis marked by famine, mass displacement, and collapsed infrastructure.
