Israel launches heavy attack on Gaza City; Hamas moves hostages from tunnels to tents to prepare for attack

Palestinians flee south in last-ditch bid to save their lives as Israel advances on Gaza City. Families are being forced to flee south due to Israeli bombardment. The Israeli army has been targeting various areas in Gaza since midnight. A tent in the Rimal area was reportedly destroyed in the attack, killing seven Palestinians, including three children. Several Palestinian families are seeking shelter.

There are also reports of renewed attacks in Aljala, Gaza City, where 10 Palestinians have been killed and many others are trapped under the rubble, Al Jazeera reports. More than 300,000 Palestinians have fled Gaza City to other areas of the Gaza Strip ahead of a planned Israeli military offensive against Hamas, according to new figures from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). An estimated 20,000 people left Gaza City last night alone.

Israeli media also reported that Hamas had moved the hostages into homes and tents to prevent Israel’s military operation to capture Gaza City. The hostages were reportedly moved from safe locations to tents to be used as shields. In a video released by Hamas, the mother said her captive son Gilboa Dalal was sitting in the back seat of a car. A report released by Israel’s Kan Public Broadcaster said that Hamas had moved the hostages into tents and homes to avoid attacks.

Israel has previously announced plans to capture Gaza City, home to about one million Palestinians, as part of its stated goal of eliminating Hamas. Israel has intensified its offensive in the area, describing it as the last bastion of the Palestinian terrorist group. More than one million Palestinians are estimated to have lived in Gaza City. Last week, the IDF ordered everyone in Gaza City to evacuate immediately ahead of the attack. The instructions have been to go to a humanitarian zone designated by Israel in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.