Many civilians in Gaza are experiencing a recurring cycle of fleeing from Israeli attacks. Since October, over a million people have been forced to move from one place to another due to Israeli evacuation orders. Each time, they pack their belongings and seek transportation, whether by vehicle, cart, or on foot, to escape airstrikes and ground battles between Israel and Hamas.
The most recent instance is in Rafah, located in southern Gaza, where the population has swelled to over 1.4 million due to forced displacement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to invade the city to eliminate Hamas but also promised to provide humanitarian aid and assist in an orderly evacuation of the population.
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has warned against a major ground invasion in Rafah, citing concerns about further endangering humanitarian access. The displacement crisis has exacerbated a hunger emergency in the region, and the United Nations has expressed fears that an invasion could worsen an already catastrophic situation.
As civilians face the possibility of being displaced once again, here is a look at some instances when Israel instructed civilians to evacuate.
Northern Gaza
In late October, Israel began advising over a million civilians to evacuate northern Gaza in preparation for its ground invasion. This came after the area had already been heavily targeted by Israeli airstrikes following an attack by Hamas on October 7.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields and urged those still in northern Gaza to relocate southwards.
Leaflets in Arabic were dropped over the region, warning that those who did not move south could be considered affiliated with a terrorist organization.
The United Nations deemed the evacuation order impractical, and the U.S. requested Israel to postpone the invasion to allow civilians more time to move. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands complied with the order, relocating to southern Gaza with minimal possessions.
Unfortunately, the south provided no respite from danger. An investigation by The New York Times revealed that Israel had used destructive bombs in southern Gaza, posing a significant threat to civilians.
While Mr. Netanyahu pledged to minimize civilian casualties, Israeli officials claimed that Hamas fighters obstructed people from following evacuation orders.
Khan Younis
In early December, following a brief cease-fire, Israel launched a major military operation in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza where many civilians had sought refuge from northern Gaza.
Once again, the Israeli military instructed civilians to leave certain parts of Khan Younis for Rafah and other southern destinations, often with minimal notice. Leaflets were dropped and information was broadcast to guide residents on safe areas within the city.
Residents found the orders to evacuate or move within Khan Younis confusing as they seemed to change over time, giving little time to gather belongings. Compliance meant transporting relatives, many of whom had been displaced multiple times before, to uncertain locations with limited resources.
Civilians reported ending up in areas of conflict or under airstrikes when following evacuation instructions.
Rafah
The latest designated safe zone is Rafah, located near the closed Egyptian border and overwhelmed by displacement. Many new residents have set up makeshift tents due to lack of adequate accommodations.
Rafah has been a target of airstrikes and fighting in recent weeks, with reports of significant casualties. Israel initiated an operation to rescue hostages held in Gaza since the October attack.
Al-Mawasi
Israeli authorities have directed people to head to Al-Mawasi, a coastal village in southern Gaza, on multiple occasions as an alternative destination for those asked to evacuate Rafah. Aid organizations have noted the village’s lack of shelter, humanitarian aid, and basic infrastructure.
