Palestinians in Gaza City Defy Israeli Threats of Mass Displacement

Defying Israel’s threat to forcibly remove residents to what Palestinians call “concentration zones” in southern Gaza, families say they will remain in Gaza City even under bombardment.

“They say go south, go to al-Mawasi, but there is nowhere safe anymore, north, south, east or west,” said Umm Imran. “We will stay here.”

Her mother, Umm Yasser, was equally resolute. “We won’t leave Gaza City. We will live and die here. All of our memories are here. Even if our children die, even if they destroy our houses, we will not leave.”

Sayed al-Zard, now living in a tent, said his family had been displaced ten times. “We have nowhere else to go. Let them come. I’ll die here on my land.”

Israel’s security cabinet on Friday approved plans for a military takeover of Gaza City, home to nearly a million displaced people. The plan would involve mass removals to the south, where conditions are already dire.

“I have faced death a hundred times,” said Ahmed Hirz. “It’s better to die here. We have gone through suffering, starvation, torture, and miserable conditions. Our final decision is to die here.”

Others voiced similar defiance. “We must stay in Gaza City with our families and loved ones,” said Rajab Khader. “The Israelis will find nothing except our bodies and our souls.”

Maghzouza Saada, displaced from Beit Hanoon, said no part of Gaza is safe. “The south is not safe. Gaza City is not safe, the north is not safe. Where should we go? Do we throw ourselves in the sea?”

Journalist Hani Mahmoud reported residents in a “state of panic” since dawn, some packing belongings without knowing their destination, fearing forced expulsion at any moment. He noted that Israeli-designated “evacuation zones” have repeatedly been targeted in the war.

Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian NGO Network, warned the evacuation would endanger the elderly, the sick, and the wounded. “We cannot leave them behind, and we cannot give them services,” he said.

Israeli strikes killed at least 36 Palestinians since Friday morning, including 21 seeking aid. Medical sources reported a drone strike in Bani Suheila killed two Palestinians. Another aid seeker was shot dead in northern Gaza, while two more were killed at a distribution site run by the US- and Israel-backed GHF, where more than 1,300 people have died while trying to get food.

GHF plans to expand its operations from four to 16 sites under Israel’s new offensive.

While Israel has given no timeline for the Gaza City operation, troop movements near the enclave suggest a ground assault is imminent. Analysts say the plan to impose Israeli security control and replace Gaza’s administration could take years, and would require large-scale US funding.

Hamas condemned the takeover plan as a “war crime” and condemned Washington and the international community for complicity. The freedom fighting group vowed to “resist any occupation or aggressive force.”

The UN Security Council will meet in emergency session this weekend to address the escalation.