• Israeli military orders full evacuation of Gaza City amid intensifying assaults.
• As many as one million residents are urged to flee as violence escalates.
• The UN warns that designated 'humanitarian zones' may not support displaced populations.
• Over 64,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began in October 2023.
• Continued international pressure on Israel as humanitarian conditions worsen in Gaza.

On September 9, Israel's military issued a full evacuation order for Gaza City, home to approximately one million residents, as it prepares for a significant offensive against Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that remaining within the city is “extremely dangerous,” urging immediate evacuation through designated routes to safety zones in the south, though many residents expressed confusion and desperation about their options, given the ongoing bombardment across the territory, according to SCMP, Reuters, and Reuters.

The evacuation directive has caused panic and unrest among residents, with many feeling trapped as they ignore the warnings due to a lack of safe alternatives. "There’s no place left to go, not in the south, not in the north, nothing," lamented a resident amid the chaos of displacement, indicating deep-seated fears of total abandonment, as discussed in reports from ABC News and Dawn.

International organizations have criticized the evacuation orders, describing the proposed “humanitarian zone” in the south as inadequate to handle the influx and suggesting it may lead to forced migration — actions deemed criminal under international law. The UN has warned that the potential for a humanitarian crisis is escalating, highlighting that ongoing violence has hindered access to basic necessities for those already displaced, as articulated by BBC and The Hill.

As the conflict has progressed, reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 64,522 Palestinians, predominantly civilians, with humanitarian conditions deteriorating rapidly. Furthermore, local authorities have reported a significant death toll due to hunger in recent weeks, exacerbated by an ongoing blockade, according to sources including TRT Global and Le Monde.

Israeli forces have already taken control of significant portions of Gaza, with military officials asserting that complete control of Gaza City is vital for the total defeat of Hamas. Netanyahu’s government has rejected international calls for a ceasefire, vowing to continue the offensive until Hamas is dismantled, as noted in discussions from Channel News Asia and LA Times.