The United Nations (UN) warned that it is “impossible” for the displacement of people to the south of the Gaza Strip to be carried out “without devastating humanitarian consequences”.
“The United Nations strongly urges that any order of this type, if confirmed, be canceled, avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation,” warned UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in a statement.
See also — War tactics: Israel’s military strategies
Dujarric also stressed that the Israeli military’s order also applies to all UN staff and those housed in the organization’s facilities, including schools, health centers and clinics.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, in turn, said: “The UN’s response to Israel’s warning to Gaza residents is shameful.”
Erdan assessed that the United Nations should focus on condemning Hamas and supporting Israel’s right to self-defense.
Israel orders 1.1 million people to move
The Israeli military has ordered 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza to move south of the enclave within the next 24 hours.
The fact increases Palestinian fears that an Israeli ground offensive against the area is close, as Israeli tanks are positioned close to the border and air strikes against the enclave are intensified.
“The Israel Defense Forces calls for the evacuation of all Gaza City civilians from their southern homes for their own safety and security and relocation to the area south of Wadi Gaza,” the IDF said in a statement.
In the statement, the military highlighted that civilians will be able to return to the north of Gaza city “only when another announcement is made allowing it”.
“Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City inside tunnels under houses and inside buildings inhabited by innocent Gazan civilians”, pondered the IDF, claiming that Hamas members “are using” civilians as “human shields”.
“Do not approach the security fence area with the State of Israel,” the Israeli military added, adding that it will continue to “operate significantly in Gaza City and make great efforts to avoid harming civilians.”
Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas government’s media office, pointed out that the relocation notice is an attempt by Israel “to spread and transmit false propaganda, with the aim of sowing confusion among citizens and harming our internal cohesion.”
“We ask our citizens not to get involved in these attempts,” he added.
Hamas’ surprise offensive has killed at least 1,300 people so far and is the worst attack on civilians in Israel’s history.
Israel responded by placing Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, under siege, saying there would be “no electricity, water or fuel” until Hamas returned the hostages.
The country is also carrying out bombings, which have destroyed entire neighborhoods. Gaza authorities say more than 1,500 Palestinians have been killed.
Egypt works against Palestinian flight from the south
As tension in the Gaza Strip rises, Egypt is working to prevent a mass exodus of Palestinians to the Sinai Peninsula, according to Gaza officials and Egyptian security sources.
Egypt will not allow any mass exodus of Palestinians to Sinai and considers any move that leads Palestinians to migrate south as a serious threat to its security, the sources highlighted.
Passing through Rafah is the only possible point to travel to Sinai. The rest of the Gaza Strip is surrounded by Israel and the sea.
Furthermore, the movement of people and goods is strictly controlled under a blockade imposed by the two countries.
Brazil rushes to remove citizens from the Gaza Strip and negotiates with Egypt
In an attempt to guarantee the withdrawal of Brazilians from the Gaza Strip, the head of the international advisory department of the Presidency of the Republic, Celso Amorim, called on Thursday (12) Faiza Aboul Naga, direct advisor for security matters to the president of the Egypt, Abdul Fatah Khalil Al-Sisi.
Brazil needs Egypt’s help to rescue 28 Brazilians who are in the most critical region of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Despite efforts, there is still no date for this rescue operation to take place.
The main option raised so far is to remove the group through the Rafah crossing, treated as the main exit door.
On Wednesday (11), Itamaraty informed Brazilians in the region that Brazil and Egypt are negotiating the possibility of a “humanitarian corridor” for the movement of people who wish to leave Gaza.
PHOTOS — Satellite images show attacks in the Gaza Strip and Israel
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
