IDF notifies safe route for civilians in Gaza ahead of likely ground assault

It stretches from Beit Hanoun in the north down towards the city of Khan Yunis in the south, as shown in the map below.

However, Hamas has told Palestinians to stay put and pay no heed to Israel's evacuation order.

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) on Sunday alleged that the terror group Hamas is stopping people from reaching the safe areas in the Gaza Strip ahead of the ground offensive by Israel after the deadly attacks on October 7.

It further stated that several rockets were fired at southern Israel and some even reached Tel Aviv during Saturday night and IDF continues to target Hamas military targets.

Taking to X (formerly IDF posted, "Hamas is blocking the evacuation of civilians".

In a video briefing, IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus said, "During the night, there were rockets fired at Tel Aviv and southern Israel. There is still combat in and around the northern part of the Gaza Strip. IDF continues to operate above the Gaza Strip and attack multiple military targets belonging to Hamas. We have called on the civilian population in Gaza City and the northern part of the Gaza Strip to evacuate south of the Gaza River".

"Hamas has issued warnings to their civilians not to evacuate and when people did not listen, they have actually stopped the civilians, and the convoy of civilians who were trying to flee from the situation and listening to our warnings, knowing that they are much better of the south of Gaza than staying in the northern part," he added.

He further stated that the IDF is duty-bound to protect the Israelis and their war is "not against the people" of Gaza.

"That's why we are operating to eliminate Gaza. Our war is not with the people of Gaza. In stark contrast to Hamas' war crimes, we are calling on the residents of Gaza city to evacuate southwards for their own safety," Hecht said.

He added, "Hamas is responsible for the people of Gaza, we are responsible for defending the people of Israel".