Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered residents of Gaza City to evacuate immediately, warning that Israeli forces are preparing a large-scale ground maneuver following days of intensified airstrikes on Hamas infrastructure. In a televised statement on Monday, Netanyahu declared that the destruction of dozens of what he called “terror towers” in Gaza City was only the beginning, telling civilians: “You have been warned—leave now.”
The order comes after Israel’s military confirmed that its air force carried out a wave of strikes targeting Hamas command centers, weapons storage sites, and tunnels across the northern Gaza Strip. Defense officials have described the operation as the prelude to a broader assault aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities once and for all. Defense Minister Israel Katz reinforced Netanyahu’s message, vowing a “mighty hurricane” of attacks unless Hamas agrees to surrender and release remaining hostages.
The escalation has triggered a new wave of mass displacement. Tens of thousands of Palestinians, many already displaced multiple times since the conflict began, are now moving southward in search of safety. Aid organizations warn that conditions in southern Gaza are already at breaking point, with food, water, and medical supplies critically scarce. The United Nations has described the humanitarian situation as catastrophic, urging both sides to allow safe passage for civilians and humanitarian convoys.
International reaction has been swift. The United States reiterated its call for a ceasefire linked to the release of hostages, with officials warning that further escalation will worsen the already dire civilian toll. The European Union expressed deep concern over reports of civilian casualties and stressed the need for urgent humanitarian corridors. Meanwhile, regional powers including Egypt and Qatar are pressing both Israel and Hamas to return to negotiations, though prospects for immediate talks remain uncertain.
Inside Israel, public opinion appears divided. While many citizens support Netanyahu’s vow to crush Hamas militarily, there is growing unease about the potential human and diplomatic cost of a full ground invasion. Critics argue that continued escalation risks drawing Israel into a prolonged conflict, while supporters insist it is necessary to ensure lasting security.
For Gaza’s civilians, however, the situation remains desperate. Entire neighborhoods have already been reduced to rubble, hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties, and families are fleeing with little more than what they can carry. As Netanyahu’s warning signals the likelihood of an imminent ground offensive, the people of Gaza City face yet another round of devastation in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.