Israel’s military tells medical officials and international groups to prepare for evacuation of 1 million Gaza City residents before planned ground offensive.
According to a statement, the authorities were informed that "adjustments" were being made to hospitals in southern Gaza so that patients might be admitted.
"Any step that would undermine what remains of the health system"
was rejected by Gaza's health ministry, which is governed by Hamas. Aid organizations and the UN have also promised to remain in order to assist individuals who are unable or unable to relocate.
A day after the military claimed to have launched the attack, Palestinians reported intense bombardment in the city's eastern regions.
Despite strong internal and international resistance, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with security officials on Thursday to endorse the military's takeover plans.
Before forces advance into Gaza City's major metropolitan sector, the Israeli military intends to evacuate the entire population and relocate them to shelters in the south.
"The officers emphasised to the medical officials that adjustments are being made to the hospital infrastructure in the south of the Strip to receive the sick and wounded, alongside an increased entry of necessary medical equipment,"
a statement said.
Officers from the military organization Cogat made "initial warning calls" to foreign organizations and medical officials on Tuesday as part of their preparations, the statement claimed.
In the calls, it stated that the officers informed them,
"We are going to provide you with a place to be in, whether it is a field hospital or any other hospital."
However, "any action that would undermine what remains of the health system after the systematic destruction carried out by the occupation [Israeli] authorities" was rejected by Gaza's health ministry.
"Such a step would deprive more than one million people of their right to medical treatment and expose the lives of residents, patients, and the wounded to imminent danger,"
it warned.
Eighteen of Gaza's 36 hospitals are currently partially functional, according to the UN. Eleven of them are located in Gaza City governorate and one is in North Gaza governorate.
The UN and non-governmental organisations warned earlier this week that an Israeli offensive in Gaza City would have a "horrific humanitarian impact".
"We reiterate our commitment to serve people wherever they are, and we remain present in Gaza City to provide lifesaving support,"
they stated.
At least 48 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire and strikes in Gaza on Thursday, including eight in Sabra, according to the Hamas-run Civil Defense organization.
Additionally, a "large number" of Israeli drones were flying overhead, according to Mr. Dalloul.
According to him, some were sending messages to the locals, advising them to leave for "safe zones" in the southern part of Gaza. However, he denied that such places were secure, claiming that fatalities were occurring "in every corner" of the south.
"A lot of people are intending not to move from the city,"
he said.
"They believe that if we will be killed, let's be killed in our homes."
What are the expected humanitarian consequences of Gaza City’s planned evacuation?
Forced movement of hundreds of thousands of people to southern Gaza, where overcrowding is already critical, will exacerbate shelter shortages. Existing tents and shelters are insufficient, worn out, or non-existent due to blockades and previous destruction, worsening conditions for displaced families.
Hospitals in the south are operating well beyond capacity, and the influx of evacuees will put extreme strain on medical services already stretched by injuries and shortages of supplies, risking more deaths.
The population already faces extreme shortages of food, clean water, and hygiene items due to blockades and bombardments. Concentrated displacement will increase competition for these scarce resources, pushing more into hunger and malnutrition.