Gaza, Oct 3 (V7N) – Israel has escalated its military offensive in Gaza City, unleashing a wave of air and ground assaults to enforce its evacuation order for residents, in what observers fear could become one of the gravest humanitarian crises in the region in decades.
 
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that civilians must leave Gaza City immediately and head south, warning that those who remain will be treated as Hamas operatives or supporters. In a statement posted on social media, Katz described the evacuation directive as the “last opportunity” for residents to move to safety. “Anyone who chooses to stay in Gaza City is siding with terrorism and will face the full might of our forces,” he said.
 
Local health officials and witnesses reported that at least 34 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed on Thursday as Israel carried out heavy bombardments across multiple neighborhoods. Entire families have been buried under rubble as residential blocks, markets, and mosques were struck.
 
The evacuation order has plunged Gaza’s 2.3 million residents into panic. While nearly 400,000 people have already fled north Gaza since the directive was issued, millions remain trapped. Many families are unable to leave due to poverty, disability, or illness, while others fear moving to southern Gaza where aid supplies are critically low. Overcrowded tent camps are offering little protection from airstrikes, with shortages of food, clean drinking water, fuel, and medical supplies worsening by the day.
 
Hamas, meanwhile, confirmed it is reviewing a Gaza plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, though a senior official told the Associated Press that certain provisions are “unacceptable” and require revision. The group has requested more time to consult with other Palestinian factions before issuing a formal response.
 
The humanitarian toll is already staggering. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Gaza faces “an unprecedented level of displacement,” describing it as one of the largest forced migrations in recent memory. Relief agencies warn that hospitals are overwhelmed, operating without electricity and running low on critical medicines. Many wounded are being treated on floors as beds are filled to capacity.
 
International reactions have been swift. The European Union called for “urgent humanitarian corridors” to protect civilians, while Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan have urged restraint. The United States reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself but also emphasized the need to minimize civilian casualties.
 
For ordinary Gazans, however, the crisis is rapidly becoming unbearable. Families are seen walking along highways with only the belongings they can carry, children clinging to their parents as explosions echo in the distance. “We don’t know where to go. We have no food, no shelter, no safety anywhere,” said Amal, a 38-year-old mother of four who fled northern Gaza with her family.
 
With food stocks dwindling and fuel supplies blocked, aid agencies fear famine and disease outbreaks could soon devastate the population. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Thursday that “the situation in Gaza is spiraling out of control,” urging all sides to return to dialogue before the humanitarian tragedy deepens further.
 
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