The Israeli military has called on Gaza City residents to move south to a designated “humanitarian zone” in Al-Mawasi, warning of an imminent offensive aimed at seizing control.
In a statement shared on social media on Saturday, September 6, army spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged civilians to take the opportunity and evacuate.
“Take this opportunity to move early to the (Al-Mawasi) humanitarian zone and join the thousands of people who have already gone there,” he said.
This comes after Israel’s security cabinet in August 2025 approved a plan to take control of Gaza City.
Netanyahu had earlier declared that Israel intended to take control of the entire Gaza Strip, but the current plan focuses only on Gaza City.
The military has been conducting operations in the city’s outskirts for weeks following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive to capture the northern hub.
The United Nations (UN) has cautioned that about one million people are currently living in and around Gaza City and has warned of a looming “disaster” should Israel proceed with its assault.
Local health officials report that more than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the fighting began.
At the same time, large parts of the city lie in ruins, and its residents endure an escalating humanitarian crisis.
Also Read: As Netanyahu Moves Toward Full Takeover of Gaza, Israel Faces a Crisis of International Credibility
Israeli Army Plan to Seize Gaza City
Israel’s newly approved plan for Gaza sets out five main goals: dismantling Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, demilitarizing the Gaza Strip, taking full security control, and creating “an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority.”
According to the military, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will move to seize Gaza City while at the same time providing humanitarian assistance to civilians outside the combat zones.
Opposition From Leaders
However, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Friday that approving the plan was “wrong” and urged Israel to reverse course, warning it would fuel bloodshed without freeing hostages.
“This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed,” he said.
He stressed that Hamas could not play a role in Gaza’s future.
Palestinian resident Mahmoud al-Qurashli told Reuters that nearly all of Gaza’s population has been pushed into the western part of Gaza City, which is the only area left.
“At this point, for the people, there’s no difference anymore – whether he occupies it or not,” he said.
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