Israel has issued one of the most sweeping evacuation orders for civilians in Gaza yet seen in this war.
Large swathes of Gaza City, an area already partially destroyed by bombing, have been declared unsafe, the residents taking shelter there told to leave for their own safety ahead of “intense strikes” by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Among the buildings highlighted by Israel are the Islamic University, Al-Shifa Hospital and three former schools.
While Israel alleges that the buildings are being used by Hamas as “command and control centres”, local authorities and aid agencies say there are thousands of civilians sheltering there.
Evacuating these areas would require time, they say, and there could be huge numbers of casualties.
It’s an ominous sign of Israel’s threat to significantly expand its military campaign in Gaza.
The former Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, has been one of very few senior Israelis so far to speak out against expanding the military campaign in Gaza.
In an interview with the BBC, Olmert said: “Most Israelis are against what is happening, large numbers of the [army’s] commanders are against expanding the military operation and want to end the war right now.”
Olmert is a frequent and increasingly vocal critic of Israel’s current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his views reflect growing concern about the impact of the 20-month-long war on the country’s morale, economy and international standing.
Olmert was also outspoken on the humanitarian impact of the war on the residents of Gaza.
“It’s totally intolerable, unacceptable and unforgivable, it needs to be stopped right away,” said the former top official, who has been accused by pro-government outlets of “lobbying for Palestinians”.
He added: “We have to provide all of the humanitarian needs of the population. We can’t allow morally the beginning of famine in Gaza. That has to stop.”
Such opinions are rarely reflected in the Israeli media or in public opinion polls but they’ve been urgently repeated in passionate speeches in recent days by UN organisations, aid agencies and by some of Israel’s allies abroad – French President Emmanuel Macron called Israel’s actions in Gaza “shameful”. Netanyahu accused him of “standing with Hamas”.
There’s growing evidence of profound suffering across Gaza after a 10-week blockade, during which Israel has prevented the entry of any food, medicines or fuel into the Palestinian enclave.
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