Israel reissues call for people to evacuate northern Gaza

Palestinian children sit in a vehicle loaded with household items in Khan Younis refugee camp, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on October 28. Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images

The Israeli military has reiterated its call for residents in northern Gaza to evacuate.

In a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, "This is an urgent military advisory from the Israel Defence Forces. For your immediate safety, we urge all residents of northern Gaza and Gaza City to temporarily relocate south.” 

Hagari made reference to what he described as a coming IDF operation against Hamas in Gaza.  

“The impending IDF operation is set to neutralize the threat of Hamas with precision and intensity,” he said. “To the residents of northern Gaza and Gaza City, your window to act is closing... Move south. This is not a mere precaution, it is an urgent plea."

Some background: The latest warnings from Israel came after the IDF said Friday it would expand its ground operation following the October 7 Hamas attacks.

A ground offensive has been widely expected following the attacks, but it does not appear as though any major operation aimed at seizing and holding significant amounts of the territory is yet underway