Israel's defense minister on Wednesday ordered all remaining Palestinians to leave Gaza City, saying that it was their "last opportunity" and that anyone who stayed would be considered a militant supporter and face the "full force" of Israel's latest offensive. In a press release, Israel Katz said the Israeli military is seizing the Netzarim Corridor south of Gaza all the way to the coast, "bisecting Gaza between its north and south," the Times of Israel reports. "This will tighten the encirclement around Gaza City and everyone leaving it to the south will be forced to pass through IDF checkpoints," said Katz. "This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas terrorists isolated in Gaza City, in the face of IDF activity that continues with full force."
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have fled famine-stricken Gaza City since Israel launched a major offensive aimed at occupying it, but hundreds of thousands remain, many because they cannot afford to leave or are too weak to make the journey to tent camps in the south, the AP reports. Katz said those who remain in the city will be considered "terrorists and terror supporters."
At least 16 Palestinians were killed across the territory Wednesday, according to local hospitals, as Hamas weighed a new proposal from President Trump aimed at ending the war and returning the remaining captives taken in Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered it. On Wednesday, Egypt's Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty said Trump's proposal requires more negotiations on certain elements, echoing remarks made by Qatar a day earlier. Hamas said it would study the plan, and it was not clear when it would respond. The plan, which has received wide international support, requires Hamas to release hostages, leave power in Gaza, and disarm in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners and an end to fighting.
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