Israel on Sunday warned residents in parts of central Gaza to evacuate ahead of anticipated military action as ceasefire talks to end the war have stalled.
The evacuation orders apply to residents in the southwestern area of Deir al-Balah, specifically those living on certain blocks, including 130, 132-134, 136-139, and 2351, as well as those in tents, according to Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
Adraee said the IDF is expanding the operation into a part of Gaza in which it has not yet operated to target “terrorist infrastructure” in the area.
“The Defense Army continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy’s capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area, as it expands its activities in this region to operate in an area it has not operated in before,” Adraee said in a statement on the social platform X, according to a translation from Arabic.
“For your safety, evacuate the area immediately and move south toward Al-Mawasi,” he continued.
The Associated Press reported that the areas instructed to evacuate include those where foreign aid organizations operate.
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have continued in Qatar, but mediators say no breakthroughs have been made for months, according to the AP.
