700,000 Civilians Evacuated from Gaza City

In a dramatic and large-scale movement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say they have facilitated the evacuation of over 700,000 Palestinian civilians from Gaza City. That figure marks a steep increase from earlier estimates of 550,000 just days ago, and from just 250,000 the prior week.

Through this evacuation, the IDF aims to reduce civilian exposure to the escalating military operations. While around 300,000 civilians are still believed to remain inside Gaza City, the trend is clear: as ground forces push further in, more residents are choosing to leave.

The military says it is not vetting those who leave suggesting that many are leaving voluntarily or under advisement, rather than being forcibly removed. Observers note that even some Hamas operatives may be relocating under cover of the mass displacement.

Still, Israeli sources caution that some Hamas fighters may remain hidden in tunnels or concealed areas to continue sporadic guerrilla attacks against IDF units. These tactics have already resulted in casualties among Israeli forces.

Meanwhile, the IDF reports striking over 170 targets across Gaza in recent operations ranging from weapons storage facilities to terror infrastructure and ambush launch sites. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} In one armory alone, over 20 improvised explosive devices and dozens of grenades were discovered.

Operations are not limited to Gaza City; IDF units are also dismantling Hamas positions in Rafah and other areas.

Despite pressure on its infrastructure, Hamas has continued limited rocket fire. One recent raid even targeted an Israeli helicopter, though no injury or damage was reported.

This massive evacuation underscores both the scale and intensity of Israel’s current operations. The IDF is pressing its advantage in urban warfare, while attempting to protect civilians by encouraging movement away from combat zones.

Critics of the evacuation effort raise difficult questions: Can the receiving zones in southern Gaza absorb such an influx? Are basic services and humanitarian needs being met? And to what degree has Hamas exploited the chaos to reposition undetected?

Still, for the Israeli side, this movement of people helps shrink the civilian footprint around active fronts clearing the way for sharper engagements against Hamas infrastructure and fighters.

Israel remains committed to rooting out terror threats in Gaza, safeguarding its citizens, and advancing toward a more secure future.

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