The call comes amid a mass exodus of people from the northern Gaza Strip.
Israeli military spokesman Richard Hecht said that from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. (and Lithuanian time) it is possible to safely withdraw to the southern part of the Gaza Strip. He did not say how many more days such an opportunity would be available, but told reporters: “We know it will take time, but we advise people not to delay.”
Thousands of Palestinians retreated to the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday after Israel ordered them to evacuate ahead of an anticipated ground offensive against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, which launched the deadliest attack in Israel’s history a week ago.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Benjamin Netanyahu) has warned that almost a week of intense bombing of the Gaza Strip is just the beginning.
Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel last Saturday, invading its territory and launching rocket attacks. Israel carried out retaliatory strikes on the Gaza Strip. Hundreds of people have been killed in the conflict, both in Israel and in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas is the Palestinian militant group that rules the Gaza Strip; it has been involved in several wars with Israel since taking over the Gaza Strip in 2007. The group has been recognized as a terrorist by Israel, the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and some other countries.
Hamas is supported by Iran, financing the acquisition of weapons, supplying them and providing military training. Hamas has a political office in Qatar, where some of its leaders are based.
2.3 million people live in the Gaza Strip. people, but Israel, with the help of Egypt, has imposed a blockade on the territory since 2007 – it restricted the import of goods to and from the territory by water, sea or air, as well as the ability of the Palestinians themselves to leave the territory, except for a few tens of thousands of workers.
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#Israeli #military #Gaza #residents #evacuate #immediately
**Interview with Richard Hecht, Israeli Military Spokesman**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Hecht. The situation in Gaza is rapidly evolving. Can you elaborate on the current status of the evacuation from the northern Gaza Strip?
**Hecht:** Thank you for having me. As you mentioned, we are advising civilians in the northern Gaza Strip to move to the south. Our window for safe evacuation is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lithuanian time, and we urge people not to delay their departure. The situation is urgent, and timing is critical.
**Editor:** What can you tell us about the rationale behind the evacuation order?
**Hecht:** The evacuation is vital to ensure civilian safety ahead of our anticipated ground operations against Hamas. We have seen an unprecedented escalation of violence, with their surprise attack last Saturday resulting in a tragic loss of life in Israel. Our military actions are targeted at dismantling Hamas’ capabilities to prevent future attacks.
**Editor:** Thousands have already retreated to the southern part of Gaza. How is the Israeli military coordinating to ensure their safety during this evacuation?
**Hecht:** We are providing real-time updates and coordinating closely with humanitarian organizations to facilitate safe passage. We understand this is a challenging time for the people of Gaza, and our goal is to minimize civilian casualties during military operations.
**Editor:** Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has indicated that the current bombing is just the beginning. What can civilians in the area expect moving forward?
**Hecht:** Our operations will continue as long as necessary to neutralize threats from Hamas. We recognize the hardships faced by the civilian population, and we are working to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need while maintaining operational security.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Hecht. It’s a challenging time for many, and we appreciate your perspective on the military’s approach to this complex situation.
**Hecht:** Thank you. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this conflict, and we hope for a swift resolution that prioritizes the safety of civilians.
