Israeli army orders Palestinians in 2 northern Gaza towns to evacuate

The Israeli army issued an evacuation order late Monday urging Palestinians in the northern towns of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip to move west to designated shelters.

“To all residents of the Gaza Strip in Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun: This is a final warning before the strike!” army spokesperson Avichay Adraee​​​​​​​ said in a statement.

Adraee claimed that rockets had been fired from areas populated by civilians, adding: “We've warned this area multiple times. For your safety, you must immediately head west to known shelters.”

The army launched a ground operation in the two towns three days ago, triggering another wave of widespread displacement among Palestinians.

The Israeli army launched a surprise aerial campaign on the Gaza Strip on March 18, killing at least 730 people and injuring nearly 1,200 others despite a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 113,200 injured in a brutal Israeli military onslaught on Gaza since October 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.