The World Today
MADRID, 21 (EUROPA PRESS)
The Israeli army announced Thursday that it has begun issuing "initial notices" to medical officials and humanitarian organizations to evacuate Gaza City, as part of the expansion of its military offensive in the Strip.
"As part of preparations for the relocation of the population from Gaza City to the south for their protection, the coordination and liaison directorate of COGAT—the Israeli military authority in charge of the Palestinian territories—has issued initial alerts to doctors and international organizations," a statement reads.
Israeli authorities have emphasized to medical teams that the hospital infrastructure in the southern Gaza Strip is being adapted to accommodate the sick and wounded, along with an increase in the entry of necessary medical equipment, in accordance with requests from international organizations.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has shared a recording of a call in which a COGAT member warned a medical official "about the possibility of the army entering Gaza City" and the subsequent "complete evacuation" of the city. "This requires the preparation of a plan to transfer medical equipment from the north to the south," the IDF stated.
"This way, you will be able to provide care to all patients in the southern Gaza Strip and prepare the hospitals to receive patients coming from the north," he said, according to the recording, emphasizing that "it is important that they receive this information from an official source." He also indicated that he will provide them with "a place to stay, whether it be a field hospital or any other hospital."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the IDF the day before to "shorten" the deadlines "to take control of the last terrorist strongholds and ensure the defeat of Hamas" in the Gaza Strip, the scene of an offensive that began in October 2023.
The Netanyahu government approved the intensification of operations on August 8 and has recently finalized the specific plans, which include the call-up of tens of thousands of reservists. It also anticipates the massive displacement of Gaza City residents.
