Israel opens new route out of Gaza City as tanks advance

Civilians given 48 hours to flee to the south as fighting is expected to intensify

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The Israeli military said on Sept 17 that it was opening an additional route for 48 hours that Palestinians could use to leave Gaza City as it stepped up efforts to empty the city of civilians and confront thousands of Hamas combatants.

Hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering in the city and many are reluctant to follow Israel’s orders to move south because of the dangers along the way, dire conditions, a lack of food, and fear of permanent displacement.

“Even if we want to leave Gaza City, is there any guarantee we would be able to come back? Will the war ever end? That’s why I prefer to die here in Sabra, my neighbourhood,” teacher Ahmed said.

At least 30 people were killed across the Gaza Strip on Sept 17 in Israel’s latest strikes, including 19 in Gaza City, local authorities said.

A day after Israel announced the launch of a ground offensive to seize control of Gaza’s main urban centre, tanks had moved towards the city’s central and western areas from three directions, but no major advance was reported.