ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 55

Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Friday, October 13, 2023

Gaza evacuation a ‘tall order’ but US understands need, White House says

By AFP 13 October 2023, 3:35 pm 0 Edit

The Israeli army’s call for more than 1 million people to evacuate north Gaza is a “tall order,” the White House said Friday, adding that the United States understands Israel is trying to give civilians “fair warning.”

“We understand what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to move civilians out of harm’s way,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told CNN.

“Now it’s a tall order. It’s a million people, and it’s very urban, dense environment. It’s already a combat zone. So I don’t think anybody’s underestimating the challenge here of effecting that evacuation.”