Israel Offensive Forces 450,000 to Flee Gaza City

Gaza’s civil defence agency reported on Friday that around 450,000 Palestinians have left Gaza City since Israel began its latest military operation in August. The city, once the most populated urban hub in the region, has seen a mass exodus as families flee to the south in search of safety.

Mohamed al-Mughayir, an official from the Gaza Civil Defence, said that the number of displaced residents has been rising daily due to continuous airstrikes and heavy ground assaults. Most people are leaving with little more than what they can carry, heading towards overcrowded shelters and makeshift camps.

The Israeli military confirmed similar figures, estimating that nearly 480,000 people have already fled Gaza City. Israeli officials say the evacuation orders are part of their broader ground offensive, describing their campaign as one of “unprecedented force” aimed at dismantling Hamas’s strongholds in the territory.

Humanitarian concerns rising

International aid groups have warned that the massive displacement has created severe shortages of food, water, and medical care. With shelters already overwhelmed, thousands of families are struggling without basic necessities.

The United Nations has repeatedly called for safe corridors for civilians, but ongoing fighting has made humanitarian access extremely difficult.

Regional impact

The displacement adds to the already dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where millions have been living under blockade and repeated cycles of conflict. Observers fear the crisis could escalate further if fighting continues and more residents are forced to abandon their homes.