The Israeli Defense Minister issued a final warning to the residents of Gaza City, urging them to evacuate southward as the military prepares to tighten its encirclement around the area. This comes as Hamas evaluates a proposal from former U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at ending the prolonged conflict that has been ongoing for nearly two years in the besieged and devastated enclave.
Amid heavy bombardment of Gaza City, as confirmed by displaced residents, Katz stated in a statement and via the platform “X” that “this is the last opportunity for those in Gaza to move south and leave Hamas operatives isolated within the city… Those remaining in Gaza will be considered terrorists and supporters of terrorism.”
Katz added that the military has taken control of the Nitsareem crossing in the central region of the enclave, which stretches from the east to the western coastline, effectively separating the northern and southern areas. He noted that all individuals leaving Gaza City to the south would have to pass through Israeli military checkpoints.
This announcement followed the military’s closure of the last remaining route for residents of southern Gaza to access the north.
In a related development, the International Committee of the Red Cross announced that the intense military operations in Gaza City had forced it to suspend its activities there.
The organization stated that “tens of thousands (still there)… are facing horrific humanitarian conditions.”
This came after Doctors Without Borders conveyed that it had to halt its operations due to Israeli airstrikes. Nevertheless, some UN agencies and certain relief organizations continue to operate in the city.
Hamas’s Stance
Meanwhile, Hamas is still contemplating Trump’s proposal, which grants them “three or four days” to accept it, threatening serious consequences if they decline.
The plan, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for, calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza contingent upon both warring parties’ approval, followed by the release of all hostages held in the area and hundreds of Palestinian detainees in Israel.
This twenty-point plan includes provisions for disarming Hamas and relocating its fighters to other countries, with governance of Gaza to be managed by a Palestinian technocratic committee backed by international experts, overseen by a council headed by Trump himself, which includes former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
A source close to Hamas indicated that the group is seeking to amend certain elements of the proposal, including the disarmament clause and the relocation of Hamas personnel and other factions from Gaza. The source noted that “intensive consultations are ongoing around the clock within Hamas leadership in Palestine and abroad… with mediators,” mentioning that four meetings took place on “Monday” in Doha with Qatari and Egyptian intermediaries “attended by Turkish officials.”
Hamas has reportedly conveyed to the mediators the necessity of providing international guarantees for the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and to ensure that Israel does not violate the ceasefire through targeted assassinations within or outside Gaza.