World

Israel issues Gaza evacuation warning

Participants march with placards during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Copenhagen, Denmark. — AFP
 
Participants march with placards during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Copenhagen, Denmark. — AFP
GAZA: The Israeli army warned residents to evacuate part of central Gaza on Saturday, saying the military was preparing to use 'great force' against Palestinian fighters in the area. The evacuation call is the first in weeks for Gaza as the Israeli military has largely shifted its focus to fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Palestinians living in areas near the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza have been warned to evacuate under the latest order posted on X. Israel has destroyed large swathes of Gaza since the attack on October 7 last year, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly pledging to secure total victory over the groups.

In Gaza, nearly all of its 2.4 million residents have been displaced at least once. At least 41,825 people have been killed, most of them women or children, according to the territory's health ministry. The United Nations has acknowledged the figures as reliable. The Israeli military has often returned to areas where it has previously conducted operations in response to reports of resurgent Hamas activity. — AFP