The Israel Defense Forces has ordered the United Nations to evacuate northern Gaza within 24 hours, in what is rumored to be preparing for a ground assault.
Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general said the U.N. “were informed by their liaison officers in the Israeli military that the entire population of Gaza north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to southern Gaza within the next 24 hours.”
The news comes as 300,000 reservists have been called up and the IDF Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus confirmed the order to evacuate.
“This evacuation is for your own safety,” the warning says.
“The aim here is to minimize the damage to civilians,” Conricus added.
Israel’s leaders have vowed to destroy Hamas after their assault on Israel last weekend.
An estimated 220,000 Palestinians are sheltering at refugee facilities Refugees facilities across the Gaza Strip, according to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
1,200 Israelis — including 189 soldiers — have been killed and over 2,700 have been injured. Israeli fighter jets have struck 450 targets in northern Gaza in 24 hours.
