• Source:JND
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Israeli authorities have issued a final warning to residents of Gaza City, stating that anyone who remains in the city will be considered terrorists or supporters of terrorism, as the Israeli military tightens its encirclement ahead of a major ground operation. 

The warning comes amid intense Israeli airstrikes, which continued on Wednesday, killing at least 16 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip. Among the dead were people seeking shelter at a school for displaced residents in the eastern Zeitoun neighbourhood. Officials from Al-Ahli Hospital confirmed that the Al-Falah school was struck twice within minutes.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasised that this is the “last opportunity” for residents to move south and leave Hamas operatives isolated in the city. Hundreds of thousands have already fled  in recent weeks as Israeli warplanes carry out a punishing air campaign and ground troops move closer to the city centre.

צה"ל השלים בשעות אלה את תפיסת ציר נצרים עד לחוף ימה של עזה ומבתר את עזה בין צפון לדרום.

בכך יהודק הכיתור סביב העיר עזה וכל היוצאים ממנה דרומה ייאלצו לעבור דרך נקזי הבידוק של צה"ל.

זאת הזדמנות אחרונה לתושבי עזה המעוניינים בכך לנוע דרומה ולהשאיר את מחבלי החמאס מבודדים בעיר עזה…

October 1, 2025

Several suburbs have been razed to the ground, and dozens of high-rise residential blocks have been levelled, leaving tens of thousands displaced.

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Encirclement And Military Strategy

Katz stated that Israeli forces are now seizing the western portion of the Netzarim Corridor, south of Gaza City, reaching the coast and effectively bisecting Gaza between north and south. The Rashid coastal road has been closed for northbound movement toward Gaza City, and civilians fleeing south will be required to pass through IDF checkpoints.

“This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas terrorists isolated in Gaza City, in the face of IDF activity that continues with full force,” Katz said. He added that the IDF is preparing for all possibilities and is determined to continue operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed. 

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The United States also reaffirmed security guarantees for Qatar, stating that “any armed attack” on the Gulf state will be considered a threat to Washington. This follows an Israeli strike on Qatar last month. Israel awaits a response from Hamas to an American proposal aimed at ending the war, a plan that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted.