Gaza’s Interior Ministry urges civilians to defy Israeli evacuation orders

Gaza’s Interior Ministry urged Palestinian civilians on Sunday to defy Israeli evacuation orders and remain in their homes.

“Israeli claims about safe zones in southern Gaza are lies; Israel commits crimes and massacres throughout the enclave,” the ministry stated, adding: “We call on citizens in northern Gaza to ignore Israeli threats to evacuate their homes.”

The Israeli army issued new evacuation orders for civilians in northern Gaza, instructing them to relocate to areas deemed “safe zones” in central and southern Gaza.

However, human rights organizations and international observers have condemned these inhumane orders, highlighting the mass suffering of Palestinians.

Many Palestinians have faced attacks from the Israeli military while trying to reach these supposed safe areas, as well as after arriving there.

In July 2023, the Israeli army struck camps housing displaced civilians in al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 90 Palestinians and injuring nearly 300, according to official Palestinian sources.

Following the attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, Israel has intensified its offensive on the Gaza Strip, ignoring a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Since then, more than 41,800 people, predominantly women and children, have been killed, with over 96,900 others injured, according to local health authorities.

The relentless Israeli assault has displaced almost the entire population of Gaza, exacerbated by an ongoing blockade that has caused severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.