Get the latest update on the situation in Israel and Gaza as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announces a four-hour evacuation window amid rising tensions and international concerns.
In a tense Sunday morning in Israel and Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have made a significant announcement. They have decided to allow people in Gaza to evacuate towards the south through specified streets. This move comes after a recent incident where IDF troops faced gunfire while attempting to secure a safe corridor for civilians.
Evacuation Window on Salah Al-Deen Street
The primary route for evacuation will be Salah Al-Deen Street, with a specific window of time allocated for the evacuation process. According to Avichay Adraee, IDF spokesperson for the Arab media, the evacuation is scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. local time.
This four-hour window has been announced in response to growing concerns after a recent Israeli airstrike near a hospital in Gaza. A US official revealed that Hamas had been blocking foreign nationals from leaving Gaza following this incident, raising international alarm.
Latest Developments
Amid these tense moments, several significant developments have taken place:
- Flurry of Rockets from Gaza to Israel: Close to the Israel-Gaza border, a CNN team reported witnessing eight rockets being fired from Gaza into Israel. Shortly after, the IDF announced that it had successfully intercepted six out of the eight rockets. Israeli television channels even broadcasted live footage of the rockets being brought down by the IDF’s Iron Dome defense system. The Israeli police also released a statement about conducting extensive scans to locate possible rocket impact sites in the central region and Tel Aviv.
- Blinken Meets with Arab Leaders: The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, had crucial meetings with foreign ministers from countries like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Qatar. Additionally, the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization was part of these discussions. Notably, the leaders of Egypt and Jordan strongly condemned Israel’s offensive during these meetings. Blinken acknowledged the differences in approach but remained committed to dialogue. He also plans to travel to Turkey to further discuss the situation.
- Hamas’ Foreign Nationals Dilemma: Hamas has been blocking foreign nationals from leaving Gaza until Israel guarantees the safe passage of ambulances from Gaza to the Rafah crossing in Egypt. This development was reported by a US official who is familiar with the situation.
- IDF Admits Responsibility for Ambulance Attack: Israel confirmed its responsibility for an attack on an ambulance near Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, which is the largest medical facility in the region. The ambulance had been part of a convoy heading for Rafah, the only remaining option for entry and exit during Israel’s siege of Gaza. Israel claimed that the ambulance was being used by Hamas fighters, although the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza rejected this assertion.
- UN Chief Condemns Ambulance Attack: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed his horror at the ambulance attack, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages.
- Strikes Near Hospital and School Shelter: Israeli airstrikes have caused damage to a building located in front of the emergency entrance of Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City, resulting in injuries to 21 people, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Moreover, a UN-run school serving as a shelter in a refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip was also struck, as reported by the main UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees in Gaza.
- Humanitarian Situation: The humanitarian situation in Gaza is increasingly dire, with an estimated 800,000 to perhaps a million people having fled from the north of Wadi Gaza to the southern part of the enclave. David Satterfield, the US special envoy for Middle East humanitarian issues, provided this estimate. Notably, there has been no new fuel supply into Gaza since the conflict began.
The situation in Israel and Gaza remains highly volatile, with international actors working to address the escalating tensions and provide support to those affected by the ongoing conflict. The evacuation window announced by the IDF on Salah Al-Deen Street is a significant development that could impact the lives of many civilians in the region. The international community continues to monitor and respond to the evolving situation with great concern.
