Palestinian group Hamas on Sunday rejected Israel’s proposal to relocate civilians from Gaza City to the south of the enclave, calling it a “new wave of genocide and displacement.”
In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of using plans to distribute tents and other shelter supplies as a cover for “a major crime against civilians.”
The Israeli military confirmed it intends to move residents from northern combat zones to designated areas in the south, saying the relocation is meant to safeguard civilians ahead of an anticipated offensive to capture Gaza City, the territory’s largest urban centre.
The plan has heightened international concerns over worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where 2.2 million people are already grappling with food shortages, mass displacement, and devastated infrastructure.
The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel believes around 20 of the 50 captives still held are alive.
Gaza’s health ministry says more than 61,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, while aid organisations warn of famine-like conditions under Israel’s blockade and repeated military operations.
As Israel prepares for a new push into Gaza City, Hamas insists the relocation plan is not about civilian protection but part of what it describes as a broader campaign of forced expulsion.
