NOW FLEE FROM THE SOUTH...
» Leaflets warn the offensive will spread » Palestinians told to find new shelters
ISRAEL last night dropped thousands of leaflets into southern Gaza warning residents to evacuate their homes and head to shelters.
The move signals a possible expansion of Israel’s offensive to areas where hundreds of thousands of evacuees who heeded earlier orders are crowded into UN-run shelters and family homes.
The leaflets warned people to find safety in Bani Shuhaila, Khuzaa, Abassan and Qarara – towns that were home to over 100,000 before the south was overwhelmed with displaced Palestinians.
They read: “For your safety, evacuate your places of residence immediately and head to known shelters.
“Anyone near terrorists or their facilities puts their life at risk. Every house used by terrorists will be targeted.”
Last month similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza ahead of the Israeli ground offensive.
Broadening operations to the south, where Israel already carries out daily air-raids, threatens to worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis.
Over 1.5 million people have been internally displaced in Gaza, with most having fled to the south where food, water and electricity are scarce.
Al-Shifa hospital has now run out of oxygen and water. Director Muhammad Abu Salmiya said: “Those in the hospital are screaming from thirst.”
SOLDIERS
He described tanks surrounding the hospital, drones overhead and Israeli soldiers inside. He said: “There are more than 650 patients at the site, 500 medical staff and over 5,000 displaced people.
“Sniping operations continue.”
The Israel Defence Forces claimed it has found the body of one of 240 hostages it says Hamas has been holding since the October 7 attack in Israel.
Gran Yehudit Weiss, 65, taken from her home in Be’eri, was found in a structure near Al-Shifa hospital, which Israeli troops have been sweeping for evidence of Hamas infrastructure.
The Israeli army said it had found a tunnel shaft there.
Meanwhile Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has said he believed there was a deliberate attempt to “strangle” its work after it pleaded for weeks for access to fuel.
On Wednesday Israel allowed a truck carrying 6,340 gallons of diesel fuel for UN aid trucks into Gaza for the first time in the war.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk called for an “international investigation” after allegations of violations of humanitarian law in the war.
Israeli fighter jets struck the Gaza home of Ismail Haniyeh, thought to be Hamas’ overall leader. He has been living in Qatar.