Israel has ordered a full evacuation of Gaza City ahead of an imminent and expanded military operation aimed at seizing control of what it calls Hamas’s last major stronghold in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military announced this directive on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, urging nearly one million residents to move southward toward designated humanitarian zones to avoid anticipated heavy fighting and bombardment in the densely populated urban area.
The order was communicated via leaflets dropped over Gaza City and reinforced by social media statements from the IDF Arabic spokesperson, Colonel Avichay Adraee, who stressed, “Remaining in the area is extremely dangerous” and urged immediate evacuation toward the southern coastal area of Al-Mawasi. This is reportedly the first time Israel has demanded a blanket evacuation of the entire city in the ongoing conflict. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that if Hamas does not disarm and release hostages, Gaza City “will be razed,” asserting that a powerful military offensive is underway, highlighted by the demolition of some 30 to 50 high-rise buildings allegedly used by Hamas for military purposes and surveillance.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the recent destruction of towers in Gaza City was “only the beginning of the main, intensive operation” involving a ground invasion to root out Hamas militants. He issued a stark warning to residents, “You have been warned: evacuate now!” The Israeli government views Gaza City as a central Hamas bastion, making it the focus of their intensified military campaign following a prolonged 23-month conflict initiated after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack. According to military officials, the offensive aims to eliminate Hamas fighters and secure the release of 48 hostages still held by the militant group.
The humanitarian impact is severe, with thousands of displaced Palestinians forced into tent camps in the south, where overcrowding and limited resources exacerbate already dire conditions. Despite evacuation orders, many residents remain hesitant or unable to leave due to financial constraints, concerns over safety in overcrowded zones, or reports of shortages in humanitarian facilities. Gaza’s health authorities have notably declined to evacuate the two main hospitals in the city, Al Shifa and Al Ahli, raising concerns about medical care availability during and after the offensive.
The international community has expressed alarm over Israel’s planned assault. The UN has warned that escalating military actions amid an existing humanitarian crisis could plunge Gaza into deeper catastrophe, with United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk highlighting the risk of “massive forced displacement, suffering, senseless destruction, and atrocity crimes.”
Eyewitness reports describe chaotic scenes as Palestinians move southward by foot, vehicles, and even donkey carts along the coastal roads, facing confusion and panic. Tactical strikes continue on high-rises, which the IDF claims house Hamas command and surveillance centers, although these buildings also shelter NGOs, media offices, and displaced civilians.
In summary, Israel’s full evacuation order for Gaza City marks the latest, most intense phase of its military campaign against Hamas, with a significant ground offensive imminent. The next steps will likely involve continued airstrikes and ground incursions to dislodge Hamas fighters, while the ongoing humanitarian crisis requires urgent attention to protect civilians forced from their homes. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for extensive destruction and long-term regional implications depending on the conflict’s trajectory.
