Israel widens southern Gaza evacuation order

Israel has expanded the evacuation orders in southern Gaza, forcing residents to leave their residences amid the ongoing displacement crisis caused by the war with Hamas.

Israel’s military said on Sunday it was widening the humanitarian zone in response to Hamas’s “exploitation” of the zone “for terrorist acts and the continuous firing of rockets towards the State of Israel,” according to a post on the social platform X.

Israel released leaflets to areas of Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, and made phone calls to residents warning them to flee, saying, “remaining in this block has become dangerous.”

“We inform all residents and displaced persons who are still in the Jalaa neighborhood that the [Israeli military] will act forcefully against the terrorist organizations there,” an Israeli military official wrote on X, in a message also delivered to local residents in Arabic. “For your own safety, you must evacuate immediately to the newly created humanitarian zone.”

“The area you are in is considered a dangerous combat zone,” the message continued.

As Israeli troops return to war-torn areas, the military has repeatedly ordered mass evacuations. Reuters noted the most recent evacuation is one of the largest in the 10-month war between Israel and Hamas, the U.S.-designated terrorist organization that governs Gaza.

The vast majority of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people has been displaced, according to The Associated Press.

The evacuation orders come amid simmering tensions in the region, as Israel has increasingly traded fire with Iran and its proxies on multiple fronts.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday and reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to defending Israel. He also noted the strengthened U.S. military force posture and capabilities in the region.

Gallant said on Sunday he hopes the tensions don’t escalate into a larger regional conflict.

“I hope that they will think this through and won’t get to a point where they will force us to cause significant damage and increase the chances of war breaking out on additional fronts,” Gallant said.

The Associated Press contributed.