Israel’s army announced on Wednesday the opening of a temporary new evacuation route to allow residents to flee Gaza City, following a major ground offensive launched the previous day aimed at defeating Hamas. The corridor along Salah al-Din Street will be open for 48 hours starting from midday Thursday (0900 GMT), providing a brief window for civilians to leave the besieged city.
The offensive began with a heavy bombardment of Gaza City before dawn Tuesday, as Israeli forces advanced deeper into the densely populated urban area, home to around one million people according to United Nations estimates. While over 350,000 Palestinians have fled southward, many remain reluctant to leave due to fears of displacement, dangerous travel conditions, and poor living conditions in southern Gaza.
The situation remains dire as parts of Gaza City lie in ruins after nearly two years of repeated strikes, with residents describing constant bombing. The ongoing military campaign has drawn international scrutiny, including a UN probe accusing Israel of committing genocide in the territory.
Amid escalating violence, many Gazans express deep uncertainty and hardship, with some preferring to remain in their neighborhoods despite the dangers. Israeli leaflets have urged civilians to use designated evacuation routes to move south, but challenges such as lack of shelter and resources persist.
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