The Israeli military has said around 350,000 Palestinians evacuated Gaza City on Tuesday, on the first day of a new ground offensive to seize the largely ruined settlement which Israeli officials say is a "central hub" of Hamas power.
Palestinian residents reported heavy strikes across Gaza City on Tuesday morning, with hospitals in the city reporting at least 69 deaths.
"A very tough night in Gaza," Dr. Mohamed Abu Selmiya, the director of Shifa Hospital, said. "The bombing did not stop for a single moment."
Meanwhile, speaking to military commanders in Tel Aviv, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one of the priorities for the IDF was evacuating all of the city's population.
"We are currently making efforts to open additional routes to allow for a faster evacuation of the Gazan population, to separate them from the terrorists whom we want to attack," he said.
Long lines of traffic stretched down the coastal road on Tuesday as tens of thousands of Palestinians attempted to leave the city.
Vehicles piled with belongings and with mattresses strapped to every available surface, crawled along the road while others made their along the route on foot.
The IDF said that around 350,000 of Gaza City’s 1 million residents had left the city on Tuesday.
According to UN estimates, some 220,000 Palestinians left the city on Tuesday, including more than 70,000 in the days leading up to the start of the operation.
"Gaza City is the central hub of Hamas’ military and governing power - their main stronghold. Hamas has turned Gaza City into the largest human shield in history," said Brigadier General Effie Defrin, a spokesperson for the IDF.
"We continue to urge civilians to distance themselves away from the combat zones in Gaza City so they can reach safer areas. In recent weeks, the IDF expanded humanitarian efforts in Gaza, setting up a humanitarian area in the south. This area provides greater access to food, water, medical care, and shelter."
EU urges Israel to halt Gaza offensive
The European Union urged Israel on Tuesday to halt its ground invasion as the 27-nation bloc seems poised to increase pressure on the country.
"Military intervention will lead to more destruction, more death and more displacements," said Anouar El Anouni, a spokesperson for the European Commission.
"This will also aggravate the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and also and dangerous the lives of hostages."
On Wednesday, the EU’s foreign policy chief will present proposals to national representatives to ratchet up pressure on Israel over its military campaign.
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she will seek approval from EU nations for new sanctions against far-right Israeli extremists and a partial suspension of a trade agreement with Israel.
She also said she will freeze millions of euros given by the EU's executive branch to Israel, which would not require the approval of all member countries.
UK calls new Israeli offensive "reckless"
Meanwhile, the British government called the new offensive in Gaza "utterly reckless and appalling."
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper wrote on X that the assault on Gaza City "will only bring more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians & endanger the remaining hostages."
She added: "We need an immediate ceasefire, all hostages released, unrestricted humanitarian aid and a path to lasting peace."
