Israel tells Gazans to move south or risk being seen as ‘terrorist’ partner

The message was delivered in leaflets marked with the Israel Defense Forces name and logo from Saturday and sent to people via mobile phone audio messages across the Gaza Strip.

REUTERS

OCTOBER 22, 2023 10:39  

 A view shows smoke in the Gaza Strip as seen from Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel October 19, 2023 (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS)

Palestinians said they had received renewed warnings from Israel’s military to move from north Gaza to the south of the strip, with the added warning that they could be identified as sympathisers with a “terrorist organisation” if they stayed put.

The message was delivered in leaflets marked with the Israel Defense Forces name and logo from Saturday and sent to people via mobile phone audio messages across the Gaza Strip, a narrow territory that is just 45 km (28 miles) long.

“Urgent warning, to residents of Gaza. Your presence north of Wadi Gaza puts your life in danger. Whoever chooses not to leave north Gaza to the south of Wadi Gaza might be identified as an accomplice in a terrorist organisation,” the leaflet said.

 A formation of Israeli tanks is positioned near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel October 21, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA)

A formation of Israeli tanks is positioned near Israel’s border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel October 21, 2023 (credit: REUTERS/VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA)

The attack that shook Israel

Israel has pounded Gaza with airstrikes since the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israeli soil on Oct. 7. Israel has massed troops and armour on the border with Gaza ahead of an expected land incursion.

Israel has previously warned Palestinians to move south, although Palestinians said they had not previously been told they could be considered “terrorist” sympathisers if they did not. They also say making the journey south remains highly risky amid airstrikes and say areas of the south have also been hit.

Many families who left Gaza to the south said they had lost relatives during the Israeli airstrikes in southern Gaza.

Content retrieved from: https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/article-769582#769582.