Hamas tells Gazans not to evacuate

By AP and ToI Staff 13 October 2023, 10:14 am

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Palestinians carrying their belongings flee to safer areas in Gaza City after Israeli air strikes, on October 13, 2023. (MOHAMMED ABED / AFP)

Hamas has dismissed Israel’s orders for Palestinians to evacuate the northern half of the Strip and is telling residents to stay put.

The group calls on Palestinians to “remain steadfast in your homes and to stand firm in the face of this disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation,” according to a statement from its authority for refugee affairs.

A statement on the terror group’s website calls Israel “delusional” for thinking people will flee.

“Scenes of migration and displacement are a thing of the past and won’t be repeated, except with the victorious return of our people to our occupied land,” the group says.