The Israel Defense Forces has alleged Hamas is actively blocking the mass evacuation of Gazan civilians from migrating south in the Palestinian territory. The IDF also presented evidence of its claim ahead of its impending ground offensive in Gaza.
“Hamas has both issued warnings to their civilians not to evacuate and when people didn’t listen to those warnings of Hamas, they have actually stopped civilians and . . . convoys of Gazan civilians trying to flee from the situation and listening to our warnings, knowing that they are much better off south of the Gaza River than staying in the northern part,” IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus said early Sunday.
LIVE UPDATE with @jconricus: Hamas is blocking the evacuation of civilians. https://t.co/N7Y08WP8gM
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 15, 2023
Conricus went on to show two aerial photos of roadblocks preventing a long line of cars from evacuating southward.
We have proof that Hamas is putting up roadblocks to prevent Palestinian civilians from evacuating from northern to southern Gaza.
Hamas prides itself on putting civilians in harm’s way and is responsible for every civilian casualty.
📸 @IDF #HamasISIS pic.twitter.com/rJoehbbEEo
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 14, 2023
The Israeli military on Friday told about 1.1 million Palestinian civilians to leave their homes in the northern region of Gaza, where Hamas targets are based, so they are not caught in more crossfire. Since Hamas invaded the Jewish nation on October 7, Israel dropped 6,000 bombs on Gaza in its retaliatory airstrikes against the militant group.
According to the latest numbers, over 2,300 Gazans and 1,300 Israelis have have been killed since the conflict began last weekend. Many thousands more have been injured on both sides.
Israel again urged Gazans to “evacuate to southern Gaza for their safety” in order to prevent the loss of more civilian casualties while it conducts its war on Hamas, IDF lieutenant-colonel Richard Hecht said in a recent video.
“We have a responsibility to protect our people and make sure this thing never happens again. That is why the IDF is operating to eliminate Hamas in Gaza,” he continued. “Our war is not with the people of Gaza. Let me say that again. Our war is not with the people of Gaza.”
An important message for the world to hear from the IDF International Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht. pic.twitter.com/e9rmcgLgex
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 15, 2023
Hecht noted in the video Israel is ordering the evacuation of Gazan civilians because of its values and morals, not just to comply with international law.
“Our warnings are to save Gazan civilians, civilians that Hamas believes are more valuable dead than alive,” he said. “Hamas has already told civilians in Gaza to ignore the warnings, calling them ‘fake’ and even stopping them physically from leaving Gaza City. Hamas is responsible for the people of Gaza. The IDF is responsible for defending the people of Israel.”
It’s unclear exactly when the IDF is preparing to launch its ground invasion into Gaza, but it has already mobilized military troops and equipment along the Gazan border ahead of the operation. After calling up a record 360,000 reservists since last Saturday, the IDF noted Saturday evening most reservists have arrived at the border. The Israeli military also announced it is preparing to launch a coordinated attack against Hamas on multiple fronts — namely by air, sea, and land.