Israel has issued an ultimatum to the residents of Gaza, demanding that they evacuate the city within 24 hours and to South or face a massive military assault. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that they have exhausted all other options and are left with no choice but to launch a ground invasion of the Hamas-controlled enclave.
The IDF said that they have sent leaflets, text messages, and phone calls to the Gazans, warning them of the impending attack and urging them to leave their homes and seek shelter in designated areas. The IDF also said that they have opened humanitarian corridors and coordinated with international organizations to facilitate the evacuation of civilians.
The IDF accused Hamas of using the Gazans as human shields and launching rockets and missiles from densely populated areas, putting the lives of innocent people at risk. The IDF said that they have targeted hundreds of Hamas sites, including weapons factories, tunnels, command centers, and rocket launchers, but that the militant group has continued to fire rockets at Israeli cities and towns.
The IDF said that their objective is to restore security and stability to the region and to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas. The IDF said that they are prepared for any scenario and will act with determination and force until their mission is accomplished.
The ultimatum has sparked panic and fear among the Gazans, who have already endured four wars with Israel since 2008. Many of them have no place to go and no means to escape the besieged territory. Some of them have expressed anger and defiance, saying that they will not abandon their homes and lands.
The international community has expressed grave concern over the situation and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The United Nations, the European Union, the Arab League, and several countries have urged both sides to respect international humanitarian law and to protect civilians. They have also appealed for a political solution to end the long-standing conflict and address the root causes of the violence.