Jerusalem. The Israeli army on Friday ordered the evacuation of northern Gaza, a region home to 1.1 million people – about half the territory’s population – within 24 hours, a UN spokesman said.
This could indicate an imminent ground offensive, although the Israeli military has not yet confirmed such a call. On Thursday he said that although he was preparing, he had not yet made a decision.
Also read: Human Rights Watch denounces that Israel has used banned white phosphorus in attacks against Gaza and Lebanon
The order, delivered to the UN, comes as Israel presses its offensive against Hamas militants. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric called the order “impossible” without “devastating humanitarian consequences.”
In a statement, the UN made a “strong appeal that, if such an order is confirmed, it be rescinded, avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation.”
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, attacked the United Nations for its response to Israel’s warning.
“The UN response to Israel’s early warning to Gazans is a disgrace. For many years, the UN turned a blind eye to Hamas’s arming and use of the Gaza Strip’s civilian population and infrastructure. Gaza to murder and store their weapons,” the ambassador said.
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2023-10-13 21:02:53
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