"Israel Forces Mass Exodus from Gaza City Ahead of Ground Assault"

Israel Orders Mass Evacuation of Gaza City Ahead of Imminent Ground Assault In a drastic move, Israel's military has ordered all residents of Gaza City to evacuate immediately ahead of an expected ground assault, warning that remaining in the area is "extremely dangerous." According to the Israeli military's Arabic spokesman, as many as one million Palestinians living in Gaza's largest urban center are affected by the order. This development comes as international criticism mounts over Israel's plans to conquer Gaza City, with the UN warning that it will exacerbate a growing humanitarian crisis. The evacuation order is part of a larger operation aimed at capturing what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described as Hamas's last important stronghold in Gaza City. On Monday, Netanyahu said air strikes that had destroyed high-rise buildings in Gaza City in recent days were "only the beginning of the main, intensive operation." The Israeli military has dropped leaflets over Gaza City urging residents to leave immediately and head southwards. According to a statement from Hamas, Netanyahu's remarks amount to a declaration of war on the Palestinian people. The group has vowed to continue fighting against Israeli aggression. However, Israel maintains that its actions are necessary to protect its citizens from rocket attacks and other threats emanating from Gaza. The evacuation order has sparked concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where thousands of civilians have already been displaced by earlier air strikes. The UN has warned that a ground assault could lead to a significant increase in casualties and damage to infrastructure. "We are extremely worried about the potential consequences of this operation," said a spokesperson for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza. The Israeli military has not provided a specific timeline for its planned ground assault, but sources indicate that it is likely to begin soon. The operation is expected to be one of the largest-scale military operations in Gaza since 2014. As the situation continues to unfold, international leaders are calling for restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In response to the evacuation order, aid organizations have begun mobilizing resources to support those displaced by the conflict. "We are working closely with our partners on the ground to provide emergency assistance to those affected," said a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza. As the situation remains fluid, one thing is clear: the fate of Gaza City and its residents hangs in the balance. The international community will be watching closely as Israel's military operation unfolds, with hopes that a peaceful resolution can be found to this long-standing conflict. This story was compiled from reports by BBC World and BBC World.