[MIDDLE EAST] Israeli ground forces are closing in on "the complete evacuation" of northern Gaza, and residents will not be allowed to return, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in what appears to be Israel's first official admission that it is systematically removing Palestinians from the area.
In a media conference on Tuesday night, IDF Brig Gen Itzik Cohen informed Israeli reporters that "there is no intention of allowing the residents of the northern Gaza Strip to return to their homes" because forces had been obliged to enter certain places twice, such as the Jabaliya camp.
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the international community, with human rights organizations and diplomatic missions expressing grave concern over the long-term implications of such a policy. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for an urgent meeting to address the potential humanitarian crisis that could unfold if large-scale population displacement becomes permanent. Meanwhile, several countries have issued statements urging Israel to reconsider its stance, emphasizing the importance of civilian protection and the right to return under international law.
He went on to say that humanitarian supplies will be permitted to enter the territory's south on a regular basis, but not the north, since "no more civilians left." According to international humanitarian law experts, such measures would constitute war crimes, including forcible transfer and the use of food as a weapon.
The Israeli army and administration have consistently denied attempting to drive the surviving people of northern Gaza to leave to the relative safety of the south amid a month-long renewed attack and intensified siege. Residents who remain in the north said that the latest operation has generated the worst conditions of the conflict to far. Israel stated that the assault is vital to tackle reconstituted Hamas cells.
As the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate, medical professionals in Gaza are reporting an alarming increase in cases of malnutrition and waterborne diseases. Dr. Amira Hassan, a pediatrician working with Doctors Without Borders, described the conditions as "catastrophic" in a recent interview. "We're seeing children suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition. The lack of clean water and proper sanitation is leading to outbreaks of diseases that we haven't seen in years. It's a ticking time bomb for public health," she warned.
Despite Israel's protestations, rights groups and relief agencies claim that it appears to be implementing a version of the so-called "generals' plan," which recommends giving civilians a deadline to evacuate and then classifying everyone who remains as a combatant.
It is unknown how many people remain in northern Gaza; last month, the UN estimated that about 400,000 residents were unable or unwilling to comply with Israeli evacuation instructions. On Wednesday, social media images showed waves of fled Palestinians holding children and backpacks as they walked south through Gaza City's destroyed sections.
Many people hadn't eaten in days, Huda Abu Laila told the Associated Press. "We arrived barefoot. We don't have sandals, clothing, or anything. We do not have any money. There's no food or drink," she explained.
The mass exodus has put immense pressure on the southern regions of Gaza, which were already struggling with limited resources. Local officials report that schools, mosques, and even abandoned buildings are being converted into makeshift shelters to accommodate the influx of displaced people. Ahmed al-Masri, a municipal worker in Khan Younis, described the situation as overwhelming. "We're doing our best to provide basic necessities, but the sheer number of people arriving daily is beyond our capacity. We urgently need international support to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe," he stated.
According to Al Jazeera, at least 15 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli bombardment on the northern town of Beit Lahiya on Wednesday, although the Gaza health ministry did not provide an official description of the incident due to communication issues. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of Beit Lahiya's struggling Kamal Adwan hospital, recorded a video of patients escaping from the building's upper floors as it was damaged by artillery fire.
Israel divided the region earlier this year by establishing the Netzarim corridor, which separates what was formerly densely populated Gaza City from the remainder of the Strip. Cohen stated in Tuesday's briefing that northern Gaza had once again been divided, this time between Gaza City and the more rural north.
Resettling or permanently reoccupying Gaza is not official Israeli policy, but top Israeli defense officials recently warned Haaretz that with no other options available, the government intends to absorb major portions of the area.
The potential long-term displacement of Gaza's northern population has raised concerns about the future demographic makeup of the region. Political analysts warn that such a move could have far-reaching consequences for any future peace negotiations. Dr. Sarah Levy, a Middle East expert at the London School of Economics, commented, "If this displacement becomes permanent, it could fundamentally alter the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It's not just about territory; it's about people's lives, communities, and identities. The international community needs to pay close attention to these developments and their potential impact on regional stability."
Israel's latest battle with the strong Shia Lebanese militia Hezbollah, now in its second month, shows no signs of easing or ceasing. On Tuesday night, an Israeli aircraft hit a residential structure in Barja, near Beirut, killing at least 30 people, with rescue attempts continuing into Wednesday. Mahmoud Seif al-Dine, a local government employee, said that many of those slain were women and children.
"This was a civilian building in a civilian neighbourhood; there was no evidence of Hezbollah or weapons. We don't know why they hit, but we witnessed women, children, and people slain," Seif al-Dine stated.
Tuesday's raid was the second on Barja, a Sunni town that is home to around 27,000 residents displaced by Israeli bombardment in south Lebanon over the last year. Hassan Saad, the mayor of Barja, stated that the incident had made villagers wary of embracing displaced people.
On Wednesday afternoon, Hezbollah launched a missile attack on Tel Aviv and other places in central Israel, with at least one rocket landing in the Ben Gurion car park without injuring anybody. Videos from the site showed a vehicle pierced by the remnants of a Hezbollah missile.
Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's new secretary-general, stated in a speech on Wednesday that the group had "tens of thousands" of fighters ready and that no part of Israel was "off limits" for its operations. He said that Hezbollah is now in a "defensive state" in south Lebanon, implying that Hezbollah fighters had dug in and were preparing for an attrition battle with Israel.
"We believe that only one thing can stop this aggressive war, which is the battlefield - both on the border and inside Israel," Qassem said. The organization has stated that it is willing to negotiate a ceasefire, but that it must meet certain criteria in order to halt fighting.
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