UPDATE: The Israeli military has just announced the opening of a new escape route from Gaza City for the next 48 hours, as the situation for civilians becomes increasingly dire. With hundreds of thousands of Palestinians sheltering in the city, the military aims to facilitate their evacuation amid escalating confrontations with Hamas militants.
Local authorities confirm that 63 people were killed in recent Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip, pushing the total death toll from the ongoing conflict to over 65,000. The grim statistics underscore the urgency of the military’s directives to move civilians south, as many remain hesitant to comply due to fears of violence and perilous conditions along the escape routes. “Even if we want to leave Gaza City, is there any guarantee we would be able to come back?” questioned Ahmed, a schoolteacher in the area.
This announcement comes just days after Israel launched a ground offensive aimed at regaining control over Gaza’s urban centers, with tanks advancing from multiple directions. Israeli officials have indicated that military operations will intensify in the coming weeks, with expectations that approximately 100,000 civilians may remain in Gaza City, potentially prolonging the conflict.
Israel estimates that 400,000 people—or nearly 40 percent of the population present in Gaza City as of August 10—have already fled. Reports indicate that 190,000 have headed south, while others have sought refuge in central and western parts of the city.
The situation remains chaotic, as civilians attempt to evacuate using various means, including foot, donkey carts, and vehicles. The Israeli military has distributed leaflets urging Palestinians to use the newly reopened Salahudin Road to escape towards the south by Friday at noon. However, the ongoing violence continues to pose a significant threat to those attempting to leave.
In a separate but related development, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israel has committed acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip. This assessment has been met with strong condemnation from Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who labeled the findings as “scandalous” and “fake.”
International reactions to the conflict have grown increasingly critical, particularly regarding Israel’s military actions and the proposed mass displacement of civilians. Aid organizations warn of a looming humanitarian crisis, as overcrowding in southern Gaza is expected to worsen, exacerbating the hunger crisis already underway.
As the clock ticks down on the 48-hour escape window, the urgency for civilians to act and the rising death toll highlight the devastating human impact of this conflict. The world watches closely as the situation continues to unfold, with many left wondering what will become of those who remain in Gaza City.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story progresses.
