Israel announces plan to move Palestinians to southern Gaza

Israel's military announced on Saturday that it would move Palestinians to the southern Gaza Strip ahead of a renewed offensive.

The announcement comes days after Israel said it would launch an offensive to take control of northern Gaza City.


The Israeli military agency in charge of civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, known as COGAT, said that the the supply of tents to Gaza would resume on Sunday.

It said that the shelter equipment would be transported via the Kerem Shalom crossing by the United Nations and international aid organizations after inspection by Israeli Defense Ministry personnel.

What else do we know about Israel's plan?

Israel's military did not specify when the movement of Palestinians would begin.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said that "we are now in the stage of discussions to finalize the plan to defeat Hamas in Gaza."

Israeli forces have increased operations on the outskirts of Gaza City, including in the Zeitoun and Shejaiya neighborhoods.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Palestinians would be moved into what he described as "safe zones." He also described Gaza City as the final stronghold of the Hamas militant group.

Gaza City was the most populous urban center in the Palestinian enclave until most of its population was displaced in Israel's offensive.

Hostage families call for protests

Meanwhile, a group representing the families of hostages held in Gaza urged Israelis to take to the streets on Sunday and call for an agreement leading to an end to the war and the release of all remaining hostages.

Some 251 people were taken hostage in Hamas' attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. According to Israeli authorities, 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are still alive.

Around 1,200 people, most of them civilians, were killed in the attacks.

Israel's ensuing offensive in Gaza has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry, with independent studies saying the toll could much higher.