Palestinians moved south as Gaza offensive plans advance

Israel says it is preparing mass displacement of Palestinians from combat zones to the south as a major offensive plan gains final planning momentum.

Israel moves Palestinians to southern Gaza as offensive plans unfold

Israel announced it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones in Gaza to the south as it advances plans for a major offensive in densely populated areas, including northern Gaza City. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said the supply of tents and basic relief would resume on Sunday, though no start date for the mass movement was given. Defence Minister Israel Katz said the government is in the final planning stage and that a plan to defeat Hamas and recover hostages will be followed by a broader mission to carry out the operation in all its aspects. The move comes after the security cabinet approved a plan to occupy Gaza City, a shift in tactical aims that reflects a broader push to extend control over the Strip.

Air strikes continued across Gaza on Saturday, with a strike in al Mawasi killing a baby girl and her parents in their tent, according to hospital officials. The IDF said it was dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities and that it takes precautions to minimize civilian harm. The death toll in Gaza has risen toward 62,000 since the October 2023 start of the conflict, the Gaza Health Ministry reported. The UN has warned of a man-made humanitarian crisis and noted that more than 90 percent of Gaza’s two million residents could face severe hunger as aid operations face new constraints. UN agencies and aid groups say the relief system remains strained, even as a new aid mission and the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation attempt to fill gaps left by UNRWA restrictions and shifting aid routes.

Analysts say moving civilians deeper into safe zones during a major offensive raises questions about civilian protection rules and the ability of aid groups to reach people in time. The plan signals a political shift that pairs battlefield aims with broader territorial control, potentially complicating regional alliances and inviting sharper international scrutiny. The move also intensifies pressure on humanitarian actors to keep people supported as aid networks reorganize around new channels.

From a humanitarian lens, the shifts test already stretched relief operations. The UN and health authorities warn of starvation risk for large swaths of Gaza’s population and emphasize the need for predictable, unhindered aid access. The reliance on alternate aid mechanisms, alongside existing agencies, heightens the risk of gaps in coverage and accountability. The next phase will hinge on clear safeguards for civilians and independent monitoring to avoid compounding harm while military aims press forward.

Highlights

The coming days will test civilian protection norms and the resilience of relief networks.