Flee while you can...Israel orders 1.1 million to move ahead of ground onslaught

THE Israeli military today ordered the immediate evacuation of 1.1 million people in Gaza ahead of an anticipated ground offensive aimed at eradicating Hamas terrorists

- Jitendra Joshi

Panic spread among beleaguered residents of northern Gaza after they were told to move to the south of the blockaded territory within 24 hours, where food and water were running out.

Israel’s armed forces directed residents of Gaza City to evacuate “for their own safety and protection” but Hamas told Palestinians to “remain steadfast in your homes”.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “crush” Hamas after terrorists stormed out of the territory last Saturday and massacred hundreds of people, including babies and children and young people at a music festival.

United Nations agencies said the evacuation order applied to all their staff and to hundreds of thousands of civilians who have taken shelter in UN schools and other facilities since Israel launched round-the-clock reprisal air strikes. “The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. It was estimated that 40,000 people would have to leave each hour.

More than 1,400 have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its retaliatory air strikes, Palestinian health officials said. The death toll in Israel since Saturday stands at more than 1,300.

Hamas terrorists are believed to have taken more than 150 hostages into Gaza and claimed today that 13 had been killed in Israeli air strikes.

British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said “it seems very likely” that Britons were being held by Hamas.