IDF warns aid workers only hospitals are protected sites in northern Gaza

"Humanitarian workers in northern Gaza have been repeatedly warned by the Israeli military that only hospitals will be considered protected sites and all other aid infrastructure could be targeted. In messages and conversations with aid workers in recent days seen by the Guardian, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said an order to all Gaza residents and inhabitants to evacuate Gaza City, the biggest urban centre in the territory, applied to all humanitarian locations [there], except hospitals."

"Between a quarter and half a million of the city's estimated 1 million inhabitants have already fled but some displaced Palestinians traumatised by the advance said they had no means to leave. Status of crossings in Gaza Vehicles for the gruelling six- to eight-hour journey south can now cost as much as $2,000 (1,500). The situation is really bad. All night long, the tank was firing shells, said Toufic Abu Mouawad, who left a camp for the displaced on the city's outskirts."

"Israeli officials said they were preparing a humanitarian zone in the overcrowded, underdeveloped al-Mawasi coastal area in southern Gaza by building new aid distribution sites nearby, supplying electricity to desalination plants, providing some water and allowing in more aid. Most of northern Gaza is already emptied of civilian and in ruins. If Israeli troops take over Gaza City, the entire 2.1 million population of the devastated territory will be confined to a small enclave in the south."

The Israeli military warned that only hospitals in northern Gaza would be protected and that other humanitarian infrastructure could be targeted. The IDF said an evacuation order for Gaza City applied to humanitarian locations there except hospitals and indicated it would operate with great force to defeat Hamas. The IDF expanded operations in Gaza City and bombarded Hamas infrastructure. Between a quarter and half a million residents have already fled while some displaced Palestinians reported they had no means to leave. Southern crossings now handle all entry points, transport costs to the south have surged, and officials said a humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi is being prepared.

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