IDF orders evacuation of northern Gaza neighborhoods

The Israel Defense Forces on Thursday issued an urgent evacuation order to Palestinian civilians in northern Gaza, instructing residents of Beit Lahia, Jabalia and surrounding neighborhoods to move south immediately as it expands “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” against terrorist infrastructure.

According to IDF Arabic-language spokesman Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, the evacuation applies to civilians in the neighborhoods of Ghaben, Al-Shemaa, Fadous, Al-Manshiya, Sheikh Zayed, Al-Salateen, Al-Karama, Beit Lahia Project, Al-Zuhur, Tel Al-Zaatar, Al-Nour, Abdel Rahman, Al-Nahda and Jabalia Camp.

“The IDF is operating forcefully in these areas, where terrorist organizations continue their activities,” Adraee said on X. “In light of this, the IDF will significantly expand its military operations in these areas.”

“The areas where you are located are dangerous combat zones,” he warned. “The terrorist organizations have brought disaster upon you. For your safety, evacuate immediately to the south.”

“Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” launched earlier this month, is a wide-scale IDF campaign targeting the last Hamas and Islamic Jihad strongholds across the Gaza Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday reiterated that Israel’s current military campaign in Gaza is aimed at establishing lasting security control throughout the entire Strip.

“At the end of this campaign, all of the territories of the Gaza Strip will be under Israel’s security control,” said Netanyahu.

He further stated that the war would continue until Hamas is disarmed and Israel can guarantee full security control over Gaza. Netanyahu stressed that the leadership of Hamas must exit Gaza and that the territory must be completely cleared of weapons.

The prime minister also linked the ongoing campaign to post-war planning, referencing a U.S.-backed framework.

“We [will] implement [President] Trump’s plan, it is a good plan and makes a difference, and it means something very simple, that the residents of Gaza who want to leave can leave,” Netanyahu added