Israeli forces have opened an additional route for Palestinians to leave Gaza for 48 hours amid an intensifying offensive, with many residents fearing permanent displacement.
Escalating Conflict and Evacuations
On Wednesday, September 17, the Israeli military announced it was opening an additional route for Palestinians to evacuate Gaza for 48 hours. This move comes as Israel seeks to gain total control over the city.
According to Israeli estimates, around 400,000 people, or 40% of Gaza’s residents, had already fled the area by August 10, when Israel announced its plan to take full control.
Fear of Permanent Displacement
Many Palestinians are hesitant to leave, fearing the dangers of evacuation and the possibility of not being able to return. “Even if we want to leave Gaza, do we have any guarantee that we could return? Will the war ever end? I prefer to die here in Sabra, my neighborhood,” said Ahmed, as quoted by Reuters.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Response
At least 40 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, with 30 of them being residents of Gaza. Local authorities reported an attack on a specialized children’s hospital, forcing patients and families to evacuate.
The conflict, which began in October 2023, has resulted in over 64,000 Palestinian deaths due to Israeli actions. The United Nations has condemned Israel’s offensive and plan for mass displacement.
On September 16, a UN investigative committee found that Israel had committed genocide in the Gaza Strip.
