From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
IDF orders Gazans to leave areas on Strip’s outskirts, potentially indicating expansion of offensive
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF issues evacuation warnings to Palestinians residing on the edges of the Gaza Strip, after the military overnight launched a surprise aerial bombing campaign against Hamas, possibly indicating an intention to expand the offensive.
In a post on X, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee, publishes a map of “dangerous combat zones” that Gazans should flee from. They include the towns of Beit Hanoun, Khuza’a, and the Abasan suburbs of Khan Younis.
“The IDF has launched a strong offensive against terror organizations. These designated areas are considered dangerous combat zones,” he says.
“For your own safety, you must evacuate immediately to known shelters in western Gaza City and in Khan Younis,” the post reads.
He warns that remaining in the areas marked on the map in red “puts your lives and the lives of your family members in danger.”
#عاجل ‼️ تحذير إلى جميع سكان قطاع غزة المتواجدين في المنطقة المحددة بالأحمر وتحديدًا في أحياء بيت حانون، خربة خزاعة، عبسان الكبيرة والجديدة
⭕️بدأ جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي هجومًا قوياً ضد المنظمات الإرهابية. هذه المناطق المحددة تعتبر مناطق قتال خطيرة!
⭕️من أجل أمنكم عليكم الإخلاء… pic.twitter.com/N5Hug8TpXw
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) March 18, 2025
