Israel says people in Gaza City have 'last opportunity' to leave

The Israeli military has issued what it said was its final warning for people in Gaza City to flee as it intensified its bombardment and offensive yesterday, while Hamas was reportedly considering requesting amendments to Donald Trump's ceasefire ultimatum.

- William Christou

Israel's defence minister, Israel Katz, said the warning was the last opportunity for people to move to southern Gaza as the military encircled the city. Gaza's civil defence agency said yesterday that Israeli forces had killed at least 46 people, including 36 in Gaza City.

It came as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced that the intensification of the Israeli assault had forced it to suspend operations in Gaza City.

Katz said: "This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas operatives isolated in Gaza City." Those who remained "will be considered terrorists and terrorist supporters", he said.

International humanitarian law experts have said evacuation orders amount to forced displacement and that civilians who remain in evacuated areas do not lose their protected status under international law.

The Israeli military earlier announced the closure of the last remaining route for residents in southern Gaza to move north, in effect cleaving Gaza in two. People in north Gaza could still move southwards along Gaza's coastal route to flee Israel's offensive, it said.