Urgent Warning From IDF: ‘Relocate South Immediately’ From Northern Gaza
by Susan Katz Keating
“Your window to act is closing. For your own safety, move south.”
The Israeli Defense Forces on Saturday urgently warned people in northern Gaza to “relocate south immediately.” The IDF delivered the warning via social media in several languages, telling people in Gaza: “Your window to act is closing. For your own safety, move south.”
The warning came amid increased military action in response to the October 7 terrorist incursion by Hamas against Israel.
The text of the warning in English is as follows.
“Attention citizens of Gaza. Listen carefully. This is an urgent military advisory from the Israel Defense Forces. For your immediate safety, we urge all residents of Northern Gaza and Gaza City to temporarily relocate south. Let me repeat, we urge all residents of Northern Gaza and Gaza City to relocate south immediately.
“This is a temporary measure. Moving back to Northern Gaza will be possible once the intense hostilities end. Hamas puts your life in danger by placing weapons and forces within civilians area in Gaza, including schools, mosques, and hospitals. The impending IDF operation is meant to neutralize these threats of Hamas with precision and intensity.
“Humanity remains haunted by the massacre unleashed by Hamas on October 7, a massacre of innocent lives. Israeli men, women, children and babies were beheaded, executed, raped and burned alive. We won’t forget that. And the kidnapping of over 200 Israelis we will not forget.
“To the residents of Northern Gaza and Gaza City, your window to act is closing. Move south. For your own safety move south. This is not a mere precaution. It is an urgent plea for the safety of the civilians in Gaza.”
Israeli ground troops expanded their efforts inside Gaza to dismantle the Hamas terrorist infrastructure, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said Friday.
“In the last few hours, we have severely increased our attacks in Gaza,” he said during an evening briefing.
Huge explosions were reported inside the territory early Saturday morning local time, with Israeli warplanes carrying out heavy strikes
The IDF has been threatening a full ground invasion for more than two weeks, but a full incursion has yet to occur. On Thursday, the IDF sent troops inside Gaza to strike Hamas targets – both on the ground and via the sea. The troops entered and exited the strip in the same evening. There were no injuries.
Susan Katz Keating is the publisher and editor in chief of Soldier of Fortune.