Israel orders full evacuation of Gaza City ahead of planned ground offensive

Israel’s military has ordered the full evacuation of Gaza City, home to over one million Palestinians, as it prepares for an expanded ground operation in the territory’s largest urban centre. The order, issued on 9 September 2025, marks a major escalation in Israel’s nearly two-year war with Hamas. Colonel Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, posted on social media: “To all residents of Gaza City … the defence forces are determined to defeat Hamas and will act with greater force in the Gaza City area. Your remaining in the city is extremely dangerous.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had already signalled the coming escalation in a televised address on 8 September, warning residents of Gaza City to “leave now.” He stated that Israeli ground forces were preparing for a “powerful main act” and were in the process of assembling for a manoeuvre into Gaza City.

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The order follows an Israeli announcement that it would ramp up airstrikes, and comes amid reports of growing destruction in the densely populated territory. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, hospitals received the bodies of 65 people killed by Israeli fire over the past 24 hours, with another 320 wounded. In the same period, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the demolition of 30 high-rise buildings, which the government claims were being used by Hamas for military purposes. Netanyahu stated that the Israeli Air Force had already destroyed 50 “terror towers” and that this action was “only an introduction” to the ground operation now imminent. The evacuation order marks the first full-scale directive targeting all residents of Gaza City during the current stage of conflict. It signals a shift toward urban warfare in one of the most populated areas of Gaza. Israel’s objective, according to official statements, is to dismantle Hamas' infrastructure and prevent it from regrouping, while extending Israeli security control over the entire Gaza Strip. This strategy has drawn sharp criticism from international observers. Critics argue that the proposed demilitarisation of Gaza and Israeli security control could entrench the humanitarian crisis in a territory already devastated by war and suffering under widespread famine. The conflict began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale assault on southern Israel. According to Israeli government figures, approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 abducted. Subsequent reporting, including investigations by Israeli and international media, has suggested that a portion of the Israeli deaths may have resulted from the application of the Hannibal Directive — a controversial military protocol intended to prevent the abduction of Israeli soldiers and civilians, even at the risk of their lives. Since then, Israel has launched a retaliatory campaign that, as of September 2025, has resulted in the deaths of over 64,500 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The campaign has also displaced nearly the entire population of the enclave, with infrastructure across the strip in ruins. International mediation efforts led by the United States, Qatar and Egypt have so far failed to secure a ceasefire or an agreement for the release of hostages. As of early September, Israeli authorities report that 20 of the remaining 48 hostages held by Hamas are believed to be alive. Despite repeated diplomatic efforts, negotiations have stalled. The Israeli government maintains that Hamas must be fully dismantled before any ceasefire can be considered. The military strategy, however, continues to provoke international concern over its humanitarian consequences. With over 2.2 million people living in Gaza and limited access to food, water, and medical aid, the latest developments have intensified warnings from humanitarian organisations. The United Nations and various NGOs have urged all parties to protect civilians and ensure safe humanitarian corridors, but no formal agreement has been reached. As Israeli ground troops prepare to enter Gaza City, fears are mounting that the offensive could lead to even higher civilian casualties and deepen an already dire crisis.