Thousands of Palestinians leave northern Gaza after Israel's ultimatum

MADRID, 13 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Thousands of Palestinians have already abandoned their homes in northern Gaza following the 24-hour ultimatum given by the Israeli Army for them to immediately leave the area in anticipation of a possible Israeli ground offensive against the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in the north. of the enclave.

Palestinian media such as the Maan news agency have confirmed the mass displacements after Israel announced its intentions by launching leaflets throughout the north of the enclave, from Beit Hanun to Gaza City, and the 1.1 million people who live there.

A large part of the displaced people are being distributed between schools of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and relatives' homes in urban centers in the south, such as Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis.

Local sources have reported to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa Israeli bombings along the Saladin highway, the main circulation route of the Strip, which crosses the enclave from north to south, from the Erez Pass to the Rafá, and tours its main towns.

Wafa witnesses assured that "several citizens" were injured as a result of the bombing directed at the displaced.

On the other hand, a Hamas spokesperson has denied in recent hours to Fox News that its forces are preventing civilians from leaving their homes, as diplomatic sources initially reported on condition of anonymity to the US network, al understand that it is "technically impossible" to prevent the displacement of Palestinians who want to leave their homes.

Governments that sympathize with the Palestinian cause, such as Turkey, as well as international NGOs have condemned Israel's calls, since they consider not only that it is unviable in logistical terms but that it contravenes some of the most basic principles of International Law, to the point of may constitute war crimes.