Israel urges Gaza residents to flee as army advances toward center

The Israeli army has called on the residents of Gaza City to move south as it continues its ground offensive to capture the city—which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says is a key stronghold of Hamas.

The offensive threatens the fate of hundreds of thousands of civilians who remain in Gaza even after months of fighting. Although the army claims to already control three-quarters of the Gaza Strip, many residents refuse to leave the city.

Netanyahu has intensified the offensive despite opposition from the army leadership, further isolating Israel on the international stage. Meanwhile, negotiations are underway for the release of the hostages, with Hamas demanding an end to the war in exchange for their release.

Israel, on the other hand, insists on the complete surrender of Hamas. According to the Israeli army, Hamas has been significantly weakened, but the fighting continues.

(reuters, lup)