close
close
newpress

The IDF is conducting an evacuation from northern Gaza, barring the return of civilians

Posted on by Josh L
The IDF is conducting an evacuation from northern Gaza, barring the return of civilians

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has officially confirmed its plan to systematically evacuate northern Gaza, which prevents residents from returning home.

Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, said that as ground operations continued, troops had to enter certain areas multiple times, including the Jabalia camp. He stated that the IDF “does not intend to allow the residents of the northern part of the Gaza Strip to return to their homes.”

According to Cohen, while the IDF will allow humanitarian aid to be delivered to southern Gaza, similar provisions will not apply to the northern regions.

He said the lack of aid was justified by the absence of civilians in the north, arguing that those who remained in northern Gaza had already been evacuated. That claim, however, contrasts with reports of civilians still in the north, as recent footage showed groups of displaced people — some with children and some belongings — moving south through damaged areas.

The operation comes after a month of heightened conflict, with Israeli forces targeting Hamas groups they say are regrouping in the region. Israeli officials deny that the evacuation directive is intended to forcibly relocate civilians.

However, the IDF’s policy, combined with restrictions on the import of food and medical supplies into the northern zone, has raised serious concerns among international law experts and human rights organizations, who argue that such tactics may violate international humanitarian law.

Experts note that forced displacement of civilians and restriction of essential resources can be qualified as war crimes.

In response to these concerns, several human rights groups have accused Israel of implementing a strategy known colloquially as the “generals’ plan,” in which civilians must be notified of the need to evacuate by a certain date, after which anyone who remains is considered a participant. hostilities

Although Israeli officials have not directly confirmed this, human rights groups say the current policy is consistent with this method, effectively leaving civilians with little choice but to leave the area.

The UN recently estimated that approximately 400,000 residents were unable or unwilling to evacuate northern Gaza. Due to increasing pressure and restrictions on movement, the remaining residents faced severe shortages of food, water and basic necessities.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Huda Abu Laila, a displaced resident moving south, described the dire conditions experienced by many people in Gaza: “We came barefoot. We have no sandals, no clothes, nothing. We have no money. There is no food or drink,” she said.

Escalating violence in northern Gaza has compounded the challenges facing civilians. As Al Jazeera reports, at least 15 people were killed in an airstrike in Beit Lahiya on Wednesday.

Although confirmation from Gaza’s health ministry was not available due to communications failures, footage released by Hussam Abu Safia, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, showed patients urgently fleeing the hospital as artillery fire hit the building.

In an attempt to further isolate the region, earlier this year Israel created the Netzarim Corridor, separating Gaza City from the rest of the territory.

Brigadier General Cohen confirmed on Tuesday that the Israeli military has now cut off Gaza City from the rural northern areas, creating a further barrier to civilian movement within Gaza. The military justifies these geographic divisions as necessary to counter Hamas fighters in urban centers while keeping civilians out of the fighting zone.

While official Israeli policy does not support resettlement or the permanent occupation of Gaza, sources have indicated that Israeli officials may be exploring alternatives to the current policy.

Senior defense officials reportedly told an Israeli daily Haaretz that the government may consider plans to annex large parts of Gaza, an approach that has yet to be formalized but reflects current strategic considerations within the Israeli leadership.

The humanitarian consequences of recent IDF operations remain at the center of international debate.

Human rights groups continue to call for stronger protections for Palestinian civilians caught up in the conflict, urging both sides to adhere to international law standards designed to protect non-combatants.

As Israel’s military campaign intensifies, the situation in northern Gaza has attracted the attention of numerous global organizations that are closely monitoring the crisis.