Israel has urged residents of Gaza’s border areas to evacuate following massive airstrikes on Hamas targets in the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli military warned civilians in specific districts of Khan Younis in the south and Beit Hanoun in the north — both near the Israeli border — that operations against the Islamist group Hamas were under way.
“These areas are dangerous combat zones,” the military said in an appeal published in Arabic on Tuesday. Residents were advised to move westward, toward the centre of Gaza City or western Khan Younis, for their safety.
Israeli media speculated that the evacuation warning could signal plans for ground operations.
Many displaced Gazans had only recently returned to their homes under a ceasefire agreement that took effect on January 19.