The Israeli army has ordered residents of Gaza City to leave the area ahead of a planned offensive on Saturday. The army announced the offensive without setting a time frame for the attack. 

The announcement was made in a statement on social media by military spokesman Abichaya Adraee, who instructed the military to quickly evacuate the humanitarian zone. The military said that al-Mawasi, located in the southern Gaza Strip, has a continuous supply of food, camps, medicine and medical equipment, as well as mobile hospitals and water.

It is also stated that relief efforts will continue in Al-Mawasi in cooperation with the United Nations and international organizations. Initially, Israel declared Al-Mawasi a safe zone, but has now repeatedly attacked it, saying it targets Hamas fighters hiding among civilians.  

Local residents have said that they are currently taking refuge in a camp in the Rimal area amid fears of a double attack, with some saying they should evacuate the settlement and others saying they should stay.  

US in ‘serious talks’

The Israeli military has ordered Palestinian civilians to leave the enclave as it steps up its offensive around Gaza City, despite mounting international pressure to end the nearly two-year conflict. Hamas agreed last month to a temporary ceasefire and a phased release of hostages. Meanwhile, Israel has demanded the terror group release all hostages at once, disarm, among other conditions.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, President Donald Trump said the United States is in talks with Hamas over the Gaza prisoners. The United Nations estimates that about one million people are living in and around Gaza City, which declared a famine last month. The UN has warned that the attack could lead to a “catastrophe” if it continues. Israel has said it expects the attack to displace one million people. 

16 Palestinians arrested in Jerusalem

The Israeli army resumed its arrest campaign in Jerusalem on Saturday. The army reportedly arrested and detained 16 Palestinians on Saturday.

According to the Palestinian News Agency (Wafa), Israeli forces raided dozens of homes in a residential area in the town of Anata, northeast of Jerusalem. The agency, citing local sources, said that Israeli forces used one of the homes as an interrogation center and interrogated several local residents.  

The arrests are taking place in various areas, including the West Bank and Jerusalem, with local residents reportedly being detained for questioning and their homes being demolished. RSS/QNA