IDF advises civilians along Gaza City coastline to flee southward as fighting appears to return

The army is urging Gazan civilians in the western parts of Gaza City to move south into central Gaza, indicating it plans to ratchet up military operations in the area.

A map published by IDF Arabic spokesman Avichai Adraee shows evacuations ordered for much of the city’s coastline, including the al-Shati refugee camp, Sheikh Radwan and Tel al-Hawa, an area that also encompasses the Strip’s Shifa Hospital.

#عاجل ‼️ نداء إلى السكان المتواجدين غرب مدينة غزة في أحياء النصر والشيخ رضوان ومخيم الشاطئ والرمال الشمالي والجنوبي والصبرة والشيخ عجلين وتل الهوى – من أجل سلامتكم نحثكم على اخلاء مناطق تواجدكم بشكل فوري والانتقال من خلال شارع الرشيد (البحر) نحو المآوي المعروفة في دير البلح ???? pic.twitter.com/ABGOawNxzM

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) January 29, 2024

The order comes after troops engaged with Hamas fighters in al-Shati over the past day, according to the IDF. A report by Army Radio earlier indicated that the army planned to ratchet up fighting in the north to thwart Hamas attempts to reestablish itself militarily in the area, which the army largely conquered over a month ago.