Humanitarian workers in northern Gaza have been told by the Israeli military that only hospitals will be considered protected sites, with all other aid infrastructure potentially subject to attack.
Messages and conversations seen by the Guardian show the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stating that its evacuation order for “all Gaza residents and inhabitants” of Gaza City applies to “all humanitarian locations [there], except hospitals”. The IDF warned that, in order to defeat Hamas, its forces would operate “with great force”.
On Friday, the IDF said it had expanded operations in Gaza City, targeting what it described as “Hamas infrastructure”. Between 250,000 and 500,000 of the city’s estimated one million residents have already fled, but many displaced Palestinians say they lack the means to leave. The journey south, which can take six to eight hours, now costs up to $2,000 (£1,500) by vehicle.
Toufic Abu Mouawad, who left a camp on the city’s outskirts, described the situation as “very tragic”. “All night long, the tank was firing shells,” he said. “I want to flee with the boys, the girls, the children.”
Israeli officials say they are preparing a “humanitarian zone” in the overcrowded al-Mawasi coastal area in southern Gaza, with new aid distribution sites, electricity for desalination plants, some water provision and increased aid deliveries.
Most of northern Gaza has already been emptied of civilians and lies in ruins after 23 months of conflict, with destruction intensifying in recent months. If Israeli forces take Gaza City, the territory’s 2.1 million people will be confined to the south, where all functioning checkpoints are located. The Zikim crossing in the north has been closed since last week.
Aid officials have questioned the IDF’s assurances that hospitals will be spared, noting that medical facilities have been repeatedly hit during the conflict.
Two new aid hubs have been built near Gaza’s southern border with Egypt for use by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US- and Israel-backed private organisation established in May. The GHF previously operated five distribution sites, but three are believed to have closed. On Wednesday, it distributed 12 truckloads of food at two sites in Rafah and Khan Younis.
The main entry point from Israel to northern Gaza has been shut since last week. Aid convoys from the south face logistical challenges and are often denied permission to proceed. A famine was declared in Gaza City last month by UN-backed experts.
The IDF has said it is expanding the Kissufim crossing to increase aid to al-Mawasi, but this will serve only the south. Between March and May, Israel blocked all aid into Gaza, with only minimal amounts allowed in until recent weeks. Around 250 trucks now enter daily, but experts say this remains far below requirements, with many carrying expensive, non-nutritious goods.
Katy Crosby, senior director of policy and advocacy at Mercy Corps, said conditions had improved since mid-year but not enough to significantly affect famine levels or daily life.
Some Israeli commentators believe the Gaza City offensive is politically motivated, aimed at prolonging the war to avoid early elections and rendering northern Gaza uninhabitable, a move favoured by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right allies. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently described Gaza as a “real-estate bonanza”, while Cogat, the defence ministry body overseeing Gaza access, issued advice to Palestinians seeking to leave the territory.
