Click to see full-size image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
On December 2, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) ordered Palestinians to evacuate several areas in the northern and southern parts of the Gaza Strip.
To clarify the evacuation order, the IDF used a map splitting Gaza into hundreds of small zones each with its own numbers. The map was first released after the end of the temporary ceasefire in the Strip on December 1.
The IDF’s Arabic-language Spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee, said on X that Palestinians in a number of zones in northern Gaza’s Jalabiya, Shujayya and Zeitoun, should evacuate to “known shelters” in the Daraj and Tuffah areas of Gaza City.
He also called on Palestinians in several zones in southern Gaza’s Khirbat Ikhza’a, Abasan, Bani Suheila and Ma’an to head for shelters in the city of Rafah.
The evacuation order indicates that the IDF is about to expand its ground operations not only in northern Gaza, but also in the south.
في منطقة جنوب القطاع:
⭕️سكان خربة خزاعة وعبسان وبني سهيلا ومعن
⭕️سكان بني سهيلا المقيمين في البلوكات 217 ، 218 ، 219 ، 220 ، 42 ، 45 ، 50
حفاظاً على سلامتكم، إننا ندعوكم لإخلاء منازلكم فوراً والتوجه إلى مراكز الإيواء المعروفة في رفح
⭕️سكان القرارة المقيمين في البلوكات الآتية:… pic.twitter.com/p1VD22z9G9
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) December 2, 2023
The IDF renewed strikes on Gaza after the end of the temporary ceasefire, hitting more than 400 targets on December 1 alone. The health ministry in the Strip, which is run by the Hamas Movement, said that 240 people were killed during the day. Many of the casualties were women and children.
Hamas and other factions in Gaza responded with a series of rocket attacks that targeted nearby settlements, as well as the city of Tel Aviv and nearby areas in central Israel. They also clashed with Israeli troops in the northern part of the Strip. The IDF said that five soldiers were wounded in a single mortar attack.
Efforts are reportedly underway to renew the ceasefire in Gaza and secure the release of some of the remaining Israeli hostages there. However, the recent moves by the IDF, indicate that Israel is not very interested in peace.
