Israel prepares to move Palestinians to southern Gaza amid expanded military operations

Israel announced on Saturday that it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat and operational zones to southern Gaza as plans move ahead for a military offensive in some of the Strip’s most populated areas, including northern Gaza City.

The Israeli military body in charge of overseeing the humanitarian system to Gaza – The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) – says the supply of tents to the enclave will resume on Sunday.

The Israeli military did not make further comments or indicate when the mass movement of Palestinians would begin. However, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz did state in a post on his social media platforms that the government is in the final planning stage.

“Now we are in the stage of discussions to formulate the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza and return the hostages, and at their conclusion, there will be a comprehensive and powerful plan to carry out the mission in all its aspects,” Katz wrote in a post on X.

The announcement comes just a week after Israel’s security cabinet moved to approve plans to occupy Gaza City. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier expressed intent to take control of the Gaza Strip in its entirety.

Israeli attacks continue across Gaza

On Saturday, an Israeli air strike resulted in the death of a baby and her parents, according to medical sources at the Nasser Hospital which received the bodies. They were killed in their tent in the crowded al-Mawasi area.

“Two and a half months, what has she done?" neighbour Fathi Shubeir asked. “They are civilians in an area designated safe.”

The Israeli Defence Forces did not provide more details on the attack, asserting that it was dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities and stressing that it takes precautions not to harm civilians.

Al-Mawasi is one of the most heavily populated areas in Gaza, where Netanyahu says Israel plans to expand its operations with its upcoming military offensive.

At least 51 others were killed in Israeli attacks elsewhere in Gaza over the past 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry says the death toll is now nearing 62,000 since Israel launched its offensive on the enclave in October 2023.

Their figures do not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties.

The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza began following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Some 50 hostages still remain under Hamas captivity in Gaza, around half of whom are believed to be alive.

UN condemns worsening humanitarian crisis

The United Nations have condemned Israel over what it calls a “man-made” humanitarian crisis in Gaza, warning that it could significantly worsen if immediate measures to alleviate the suffering are not instituted.

The UN says more than 90% of Gaza’s 2 million population are at dire risk of starvation, after Israel moved to restrict UN aid operations, accusing Hamas of looting supplies for their own gain.

The UN’s relief agency in Gaza, UNRWA, has faced severe restrictions after Israel claimed that Hamas members were among its staff — a claim the agency has denied.

Israel, along with the US, launched their own aid mission in Gaza to replace traditional UN systems, operated by the US-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The GHF says it distributes millions of meals daily through its hubs, but experts say that is nowhere near enough to satisfy the needs of the population.