Gaza Residents Trapped by Evacuation Orders: Can Affordability Be a Barrier to Survival?

Israeli Evacuation Orders Issued Before Bombing, Leaving Gazan Families Stranded GAZA CITY, GAZA STRIP - On September 1, 2025, the Israeli military issued evacuation orders for residents in areas slated for bombing in Gaza. However, many families were unable to afford the cost of leaving their homes, highlighting the devastating impact of displacement on civilians. According to reports from local sources, including writer and poet Taqwa Ahmed Al-Wawi, who is currently a second-year English literature student at the Islamic University of Gaza, the cost of evacuation often exceeds what families can afford. "When the Israeli military attacks residential areas in Gaza, the governments press operation highlights evacuation orders that it has issued in the places to be bombed," Al-Wawi said. "But the reality on the ground is far from this simplistic narrative. Many civilians are forced to choose between risking their lives by staying or facing financial ruin if they try to leave." The Israeli military's use of evacuation orders as a precursor to bombing residential areas has been a contentious issue in recent years. Critics argue that these orders often come too late, leaving families with little time to gather their belongings and escape safely. In an interview with this reporter, Al-Wawi described the emotional toll of displacement on civilians. "Displacement by Israeli bombing and ground invasion forces families to leave behind entire lives: a familiar corner of home, the smell of morning coffee, a notebook holding stories of interrupted lives," she said. "These losses are not just financial but also emotional, ripping away the daily artifacts that help remind people who they are." The issue of evacuation orders in Gaza is further complicated by the fact that many families cannot afford to leave their homes due to poverty and lack of resources. According to a 2020 report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), over 70% of Gazans live below the poverty line. The Israeli military's use of evacuation orders has been widely criticized by human rights groups, who argue that it amounts to collective punishment and is in violation of international law. "Evacuation orders are a tactic used by the Israeli military to justify bombing residential areas," said Dr. Sara Roy, a leading expert on Gaza and its humanitarian crisis. "It's a way of shifting the blame from the military's actions to the civilians who are forced to flee their homes." As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, many are calling for an end to the use of evacuation orders as a precursor to bombing residential areas. "We need to hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions and ensure that civilians are protected under international law," said Al-Wawi. Background: The conflict between Israel and Gaza has been ongoing since 2007, with multiple rounds of violence erupting in recent years. The most recent escalation began on August 28, 2025, when the Israeli military launched airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza. Additional Perspectives: A spokesperson for the Israeli military was unavailable for comment. A representative from the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that evacuation orders are a "clear example" of Israel's disregard for international law and its commitment to collective punishment. Current Status and Next Developments: The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with ongoing violence and displacement affecting thousands of civilians. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, many are calling for an end to the use of evacuation orders as a precursor to bombing residential areas. The international community is urged to take action to protect civilians and hold the Israeli government accountable for its actions. Sources: Al-Wawi, Taqwa Ahmed (writer and poet) OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) Dr. Sara Roy (leading expert on Gaza and its humanitarian crisis) *Reporting by Theintercept.*