Families Flee North Gaza After Israel's Evacuation Order, Death Toll In Hamas War Nears 3,100 — Top Points
As Palestinians began an exodus from northern Gaza, the U.N. warned that so many people fleeing en masse would be calamitous, urging Israel to reverse the order.
Families in northern Gaza on Friday began fleeing en masse towards the southern part of the besieged territory in cars, trucks, and donkey carts after Israel's military issued an unprecedented evacuation order to approximately one million Palestinians, as reported by the Associated Press. The order precedes an anticipated ground invasion against the ruling militant group amid escalating tensions in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The United Nations has expressed concern, warning that such a mass exodus could have catastrophic consequences.
This came as Israeli airstrikes continued to hammer neighborhoods in southern Gaza.
- The Gaza Health Ministry reported that around 1,800 Palestinians have lost their lives as a result of Israeli strikes. This includes 583 children and 351 women. Moreover, over 7,388 people have been injured, with 1,901 children and 1,185 women among the casualties, AP reported.
Meanwhile, the death toll in Israel following the surprise Hamas attack is more than 1,300. - At least nine Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank during rallies expressing solidarity with war-battered Gaza, AFP reported the Palestinian health ministry as informing. Clashes were witnessed in several West Bank cities, including Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarem, and Hebron, as per AFP.
VIDEO | Clashes erupted in the West Bank city of Nablus earlier today, after protests were held in solidarity with people in Gaza.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2023
(Source: EFE/PTI)#IsraelHamasConflict pic.twitter.com/lqO7y0oqSb - Hamas press office claimed that 70 people, mostly women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrike on convoys fleeing Gaza City, as reported by AP. Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also took to X and stated: "The Israeli occupation forces deceived the citizens of Gaza after warning them to leave their homes and then attacking them on the roads. So far, this massacre has resulted in an initial toll of 70 martyrs, most of whom are children and women, and more than 200 injuries."
The Israeli occupation forces deceived the citizens of Gaza after warning them to leave their homes and then attacking them on the roads. So far, this massacre has resulted in an initial toll of 70 martyrs, most of whom are children and women, and more than 200 injuries.… pic.twitter.com/hyYFM7YGuy
— State of Palestine - MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) October 13, 2023 -
As Palestinians began an exodus from northern Gaza, the U.N. warned that so many people fleeing en masse would be calamitous, urging Israel to reverse the order. Families in cars, trucks, and donkey carts packed with blankets and possessions were seen leaving a main road out of Gaza City while Israeli strikes pounded neighborhoods in southern Gaza, AP reported.
“Forget about food, forget about electricity, forget about fuel. The only concern now is just if you’ll make it, if you’re going to live,” said Nebal Farsakh, a spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent in Gaza City, breaking into tears, as per AP's report.
- In his talks with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas warned of a “second Nakba” catastrophe as he emphasised his opposition to the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. “Abbas completely rejects the displacement of our people from the Gaza Strip, because it will be tantamount to a second Nakba for our people,” a statement published by Palestinian news agency Wafa read. More on it: Palestinian President Warns Of 'Second Nakba' Catastrophe As Israel Orders Evacuation From North Gaza
- According to AP, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Israeli troops conducted 'localised' raids in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours to "cleanse the area of terrorists and weaponry" and try to find "missing persons", making it the first ground raids after aerial strikes in the region.
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Iran Envoy to India Iraj Elahi denied Iran having any role in Hamas attack on Israel, saying “Hamas an independent player”.
"Western media tries to deny the independent power of Hamas by attributing recent developments to Iran’s support. However, in truth, the strength of Hamas stands as an undeniable fact, and it remains an independent player that can steer the course of events on its own. As the Supreme Leader has stated, Hamas executed this operation without the assistance of Iran. Nonetheless, Iran will always support the Palestinian cause and the legitimate resistance of the Palestinians, consistently condemning the ruthless violence and occupation by the Zionists," the envoy told ANI.
- White House national security spokesman John Kirby, as reported by Reuters, acknowledged that Israel's call for a million civilians in northern Gaza to move within 24 hours is a "tall order". He stated that the move is aimed at isolating the civilian population from Hamas, their primary target.
"That is a lot of people to move in a very short period of time," Kirby remarked in an interview on MSNBC. "We understand what they're trying to do and why they're trying to do this -- to try to isolate the civilian population from Hamas, which is their real target," he stressed.
- US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed strong support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas. Austin, who compared Hamas to ISIS, pledged "iron-clad" backing for Israel. He highlighted the gravity of the situation and stated that this was not the time for neutrality, emphasizing the need for resolve rather than revenge.
"In encountering ISIS I felt as if we were staring evil in the eye -- it was truly evil," said Austin after talks with Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, as quoted by AFP. More on it: 'Hamas Takes Evil To Another Level': US Defense Secretary In Israel Stresses 'Time For Resolve, Not Revenge'
The Israel-Palestine conflict continues to intensify, with a growing humanitarian crisis as civilian casualties rise and tensions between all sides persist. The situation remains a matter of global concern and diplomatic efforts are ongoing to bring about a resolution.
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