Despite the Israeli military announcing a new “humanitarian zone” in Khan Younis and urging residents to evacuate Gaza City ahead of a major planned operation, a vast majority of the city’s remaining inhabitants are refusing to leave.
People on the ground say the order to move south is not a real solution. They cite a lack of resources, overwhelming overcrowding in southern areas, and the fact that nowhere in Gaza feels safe.
“We cannot afford transportation or tents. People are exhausted and coming from hunger,” said Samer Abu Samra, a 38-year-old father of four. His sentiment is echoed by many who have already experienced displacement once.
Nasser al-Attar, a teacher, explained, “I lived displacement in the south before, and it was the worst experience of my life… It is simply because there is no alternative.”
For some, the decision to stay is a matter of dignity. “We have nothing left to lose but our lives,” said Umm Mohammed Jaber. “But displacement also means losing dignity, so we will remain here.”
Local activists estimate that approximately 80% of Gaza City’s residents have chosen to stay put, even as Israeli operations intensify. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated the new humanitarian zone was established “in light of the expansion of the ground operation” and would ensure the delivery of critical aid like food, tents, and medicine.
However, recent days have seen a surge in Israeli airstrikes on high-rise buildings in Gaza City. Israel claims these towers are Hamas strongholds used for intelligence and monitoring, a charge flatly denied by building administrations who say they only host displaced civilians.
The bombardment is part of what Hamas calls a “systematic policy of displacement.” The group issued a statement on Saturday reaffirming its commitment to a 60-day ceasefire proposal presented by Qatar and Egypt in August. Hamas insists any permanent ceasefire agreement must include a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, a surge of unrestricted humanitarian aid, and a prisoner exchange deal.
The conflict, which began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and took roughly 250 hostages, has had a devastating toll. According to Gaza health authorities, the Israeli offensive has killed more than 64,000 Palestinians and wounded over 161,000.
International efforts to broker a peace continue. On Saturday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, in a call with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, pushed for increased efforts to end the war, ensure aid delivery, and secure the release of all prisoners.
