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Israel has expanded evacuation orders in southern Gaza, citing concerns over Hamas emerging in previously cleared areas.

What’s the deal: According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), they have expanded their evacuation orders in southern Gaza, specifically targeting areas such as Khan Younis, due to concerns that Hamas is exploiting designated humanitarian zones to conduct terrorist activities and launch rocket attacks against Israel.  

What Israel is specifically saying: In a statement on X, Avichay Adraee (the IDF spokesman for “arab media”) said, “Against the backdrop of the exploitation of the humanitarian zone for terrorist acts and the continuous firing of rockets towards the State of Israel from Block 36, remaining in this block has become dangerous, and therefore that block will no longer be considered part of the humanitarian zone as of now. We inform all residents and displaced persons who are still in the Jalaa neighborhood that the IDF will act forcefully against the terrorist organizations there.”

Communication & criticism: The Israeli military claims it is informing residents to evacuate through leaflets, phone calls, and social media. However, activists have criticized these efforts, pointing out that many civilians in Gaza face challenges with unstable cellular connections and limited access to power, making it difficult for them to receive these warnings.