One million Palestinians in Gaza defy displacement orders amid heavy bombardment

Despite heavy bombardment by the Israeli army, one million Palestinians refuse to leave Gaza City. According to reports in the Israeli press, this situation is causing serious disappointment within the army.

The Israeli administration is resorting to psychological pressure tactics to force Palestinians to migrate south. In the attacks that began on August 11, high-rise buildings, homes, and shelters were targeted, while messages were broadcast to the public that tents, food, and health services were ready in the south. However, despite these calls, the vast majority of Gaza’s one million residents continue to stay in their homes. The Israeli press reported that only 350,000 people have left the city so far, while approximately 650,000 civilians still remain in Gaza.

The Maariv newspaper wrote that the purpose of the flares used on Monday night was to create panic among the public and surprise Hamas. The report, citing security sources, stated, “In previous experiences in Jabalia, the public was seen fleeing for their lives upon seeing tanks.” Channel 12 television reported that security officials found the current level of migration sufficient for a ground operation, while the Walla news site reported that the army was “disappointed” because far fewer civilians than expected had left the city.

The intense attacks in the city are causing heavy casualties. One of Gaza’s bloodiest nights has occurred in recent days; at least 35 Palestinians lost their lives under intense bombardment. Witnesses stated that Israeli forces used explosive-laden robots to demolish homes. According to Walla‘s report, approximately 20,000 people were forced to leave Gaza City on foot in a single night.

According to the Gaza Government Media Office, despite Israel’s intense attacks, one million Palestinians in the north are refusing to be displaced. The statement said, “More than one million people living in Gaza and the north are unequivocally refusing to leave their homes amidst the bombardments and pressure for forced migration. The occupier Israel is committing the crime of permanent forced migration, disregarding international law and conventions.”

The statement also noted that the population in Gaza and the north exceeds 1.3 million, with approximately 398,000 of these residents belonging to the North Gaza governorate. The vast majority of this population was forcibly displaced to the west of the governorate, while more than 914,000 people live in Gaza City. It was recorded that approximately 350,000 of these people were forced to migrate from the city’s eastern neighborhoods to the center and west.

The Media Office announced that they have observed an increase in southward migration with the recent escalation of bombardments. It was reported that approximately 190,000 people were forced to leave their homes under the pressure of the attacks. However, it was also noted that a movement called “reverse migration” has occurred. According to the statement, as of noon on Tuesday, more than 15,000 people gave up on going south due to the lack of basic living conditions and returned to Gaza City.

The Gaza government also announced that approximately 800,000 people are living under severe conditions in the south, in the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis and the city of Rafah. It was stated that these areas, described by Israel as “safe zones,” have been targeted by more than 100 airstrikes in recent months, with over 2,000 people killed in Al-Mawasi alone. The statement emphasized that basic services such as hospitals, infrastructure, water, food, shelter, electricity, and education are absent in these areas, making life almost impossible.

The statement concluded with the following words: “The areas designated as ‘shelter zones’ on Israel’s maps cover only 12% of the Gaza Strip’s surface area. Despite this, the occupying forces are trying to cram more than 1.7 million people here. This situation is a clear indicator of a plan to establish ‘concentration camps’ as part of a systematic policy of forced displacement. The goal is to evacuate the residents of Gaza from Gaza City and the north.”