Thousands flee Gaza City under Israeli assault

The Israeli military said Saturday that more than 250,000 people had fled Gaza City since it began intensifying operations there, as Palestinian officials reported many had been unable to evacuate south due to overcrowding.

The United Nations estimated in late August that about one million Palestinians lived in and around Gaza's largest urban centre, where it said a famine was unfolding after months of worsening conditions.

The world body and members of the international community have urged the military to abandon its plans to capture the city, warning the assault and ensuing displacement could worsen the already dire humanitarian situation.

On Saturday, Arabic-language army spokesman Avichay Adraee said on X that "more than a quarter of a mn residents of Gaza City have moved out of the city for their own safety".

Gaza's civil defence agency, however, reported a much lower figure, saying fewer than 70,000 had managed to leave.

The Israeli military dropped leaflets Saturday urging residents in western districts to evacuate, as the civil defence reported continuous air strikes.

Mohammad Abu Salmiya, head of the Al-Shifa medical complex, said that displacement was continuing inside Gaza City, with residents moving from east to west, but "only a small number of people have been able to reach the south".

"Even those who manage to flee south often find no place to stay, as the Al-Mawasi area is completely full and Deir al-Balah is also overcrowded," the senior official added, saying many had returned to Gaza City after failing to secure shelter or basic services.

Bakri Diab, who fled western Gaza City for the south, said Israeli strikes continued there as well.

"Bombing happens here too — the south isn't safe either," said the 35-year-old father of four.

"All the occupation has done is force people to crowd into places with no basic services and no safety."

Israel has come under mounting international pressure to halt its Gaza City offensive, but says it is determined to dismantle what it describes as one of Hamas's last strongholds.

In recent weeks the military has targeted high-rise buildings there, saying they were being used by Hamas militants.

On Saturday the military announced it had struck yet another tall building in the area.

The death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip, which began on Oct. 7, 2023, has reached 64,803 martyrs and 164,264 injured.