Israel’s military has informed the United Nations that the entire population of northern Gaza should relocate to the southern half of the territory within 24 hours, the U.N. spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, said late on Thursday night, adding that such a movement — involving over one million people — would lead to “devastating humanitarian consequences.”

“The same order applied to all U.N. staff and those sheltered in U.N. facilities — including schools, health centers and clinics,” Mr. Dujarric said.

The U.N. was told that the marker dividing the north from south was Wadi Gaza, the statement said.

The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on Friday afternoon in a closed consultation format

  • @[email protected]
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    -521 year ago

    Looks like they don’t want to give Hamas time to move their weapons. Whoever came up with this method should be celebrated.

    It will force Hamas to give up on hunkering down with their human shields. This counters that, and gives the human shields a chance to escape from the death cult.

    • Spzi
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      131 year ago

      A very slim chance. 24 hours is very short notice, and the circumstances make it very difficult to relocate so many people.

      • @[email protected]
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        -131 year ago

        It defeats the purpose if you give Hamas time to organize. Getting rid of Hamas ASAP is the surest way to minimize civilian casualties.

        • @Not_mikey
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          21 year ago

          The surest way to minimize civilian casualties is to not drop any bombs.

          The incursion has been withdrawn, the threat has been contained as much as it can be. Any bombing now is pure retaliation. Any disablement of Hamas strength won by this will be only temporary and will be restored in a few years with more anger, all at the cost of civilian lives.

          If Israel truly only cares about protecting Israeli lives, they’d establish a line, start rebuilding the fence with better surveillance and start negotiating for the release of the hostages.

          • Spzi
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            21 year ago

            It makes some sense from a military perspective to destroy certain enemy positions. Centres for command and communication. Missile launch sites, missile workshops, storage facilities.

            Yes, Hamas is probably already very good in adapting to strikes on these, and the infrastructure will be rebuilt in a few years tops. But if that means less missiles fly into Israel for a few years, it could make sense militarily.

            It is a dilemma this infrastructure is interwoven into a civilian, urban area. Whatever you do, someone will have good arguments to blame you.

            Of course, the surest way to avoid [Palestinian] civilian casualties is to not drop any bombs. But since that also means Hamas will have it easier to make and send new missiles, or plan and launch new border raids, not dropping bombs does not maximize [Israeli] civilian safety.

            I’m aware this conflict is way more dirty than it may sound here.

    • @[email protected]
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      131 year ago

      “gives the human shields a chance to escape from the death cult” is a WILD way to describe how millions of civilians suddenly have less than 24 hours to move south (where? Who cares?) lest they get absolutely bombed to fuck.

      • @[email protected]
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        -141 year ago

        The alternative clearly wasn’t working. Any time they telegraphed a bombing, Hamas would force them to stay in the building to die so useful idiots would keep criticizing Israel for the death toll.

        Now there’s no excuse.

    • trainsaresexy
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      121 year ago

      Tunnels. Hamas will be fine. The ground invasion is going to be insane.

      • roguetrick
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        91 year ago

        Ground invasion would be a meat grinder. Israel would rather bomb it into ashes before they fight house to house in Gaza.

      • @[email protected]
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        -101 year ago

        The bombings the past few days were targeting tunnels. The penetrating explosions can be identified with tall, narrow plumes of dirt.