As Israel intensifies its ground operations in Gaza City, the military announced a 48-hour evacuation corridor along Salah al-Din Street starting Wednesday midday. This comes amid mounting international pressure, including a proposed EU trade sanctions package and a UN investigation alleging genocide in the Palestinian territory.
Over 350,000 residents have fled south since the offensive began, according to Israeli authorities, though many displaced Palestinians told AFP they see “no safe place” in the besieged enclave. The UN estimates nearly one million people resided in Gaza City and surrounding areas prior to the conflict.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry stated Tuesday that “genocide is occurring in Gaza,” with chair Navi Pillay citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s rhetoric as contributing to the alleged crimes. Israel rejected the findings as “distorted and false,” while Hamas condemned the military campaign as “systematic ethnic cleansing.”
Qatar joined growing global criticism Wednesday, urging an immediate halt to what it called Israel’s “genocidal war.” The EU simultaneously proposed trade restrictions targeting Israeli settlements, signaling deepening diplomatic fractures over the conflict.
