1 million ordered to evacuate Gaza City ahead of imminent attack

On September 9, 2025, the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation order to approximately 1 million residents of Gaza City, warning them to move southward immediately. This directive was prompted by an impending military incursion dubbed an attack of 'great force' aimed at eliminating Hamas within the city. The order specifies that evacuees should head toward a humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi, near Khan Younis, where it is claimed food and medical care will be provided. However, the United Nations expressed skepticism about the safety of this zone, noting that previous humanitarian sectors had faced heavy bombardment and that facilities in Al-Mawasi are already overwhelmed due to overcrowding. Ajith Sunghay, head of the U.N. Human Rights Office for the Palestinian territories, warned that the Israeli assault on Gaza City would be catastrophic, stating that critical civilian infrastructure was being destroyed and that the situation in the northern part of Gaza had already seen similar devastation. He forecasted that the assault on Gaza City would lead to unparalleled consequences, with fears of a significant loss of life as many residents were likely to ignore the evacuation order due to the uncertainty of their return. The escalation of military operations comes in the wake of threats from Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, who indicated a desire to raze Gaza entirely and called the operations ongoing 'a hurricane storm' that would obliterate targets associated with Hamas. As high-rise buildings in the densely populated area were being targeted, the international community remained alert to the humanitarian crisis developing as tens of thousands of individuals sought refuge amid escalating violence and destruction.