Following the Israel Defense Forces’ announcement of “focused ground operations” in the “center of the Gaza Strip,” occupation forces dropped leaflets in Gaza overnight on Wednesday, telling civilians that “the world map will not change if all the people of Gaza vanish.”
The chilling message urged Gazans to flee “before the implementation of Trump’s forced plan—which will impose your forced displacement whether you like it or not.”
The message went on, “We have decided to make a final appeal to those who want to receive assistance in exchange for cooperating with us. We will not hesitate to assist you.
Otherwise, it implied, “No one will feel for you, and no one will inquire about you.” You are left alone to face your unavoidable fate.
“Neither the US nor Europe cares about Gaza,” it stated, before concluding, “The game is almost over, and only a little remains. Whoever wants to save themselves before it is too late, we will be here until Judgment Day.”
Since the ceasefire ended on Tuesday night, attacks have killed nearly 500 Gazans, mostly women and children, according to a spokesperson for the civil defense team.
During the first phase of the cease-fire agreement, Israel completely evacuated the Netzarim corridor.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Gaza residents in a Hebrew-language video message on Wednesday that “the evacuation of the population from the battle zones” would “begin again soon.”
Katz urged Gazans to travel to “other places in the world for those who wish.”
“Follow the advice of the United States President. Return the hostages and eliminate Hamas, and other options will become available to you, including travel to other parts of the world if you so desire,” Katz said.
Last month, President Donald Trump advocated for the forced displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, prompting widespread international condemnation and accusations from allies and the United Nations. He has since stated that Palestinians should choose to leave voluntarily due to the destruction.
Residents of Gaza are currently unable to leave on their own because the border crossing with Egypt is closed.
Israel’s current plan is to make Gaza unlivable, re-establish those so-called “humanitarian zones,” concentrate Palestinians in those bubbles or islands, and then offer voluntary transfers out of Gaza, according to retired Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi, a security hawk who continues to advise the military and defense ministry.
Avivi stated that leaving would be voluntary. Buses would transport them through the Kerem Shalom crossing to either Ashdod port or Eilat airport.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned troops on Wednesday that a “larger front” could open in the West Bank.
“While we are waging a fierce war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, we are aware of the possibility that a larger front could open in Judea and Samaria,” Netanyahu said, referring to the Israeli-occupied West Bank territories.
Following the first phase of the Hamas-Israel ceasefire on January 19, Israel launched a larger operation in the West Bank known as Operation Iron Wall.
Before resuming ground operations in Gaza, an Israeli official told ABC News that the renewed campaign of strikes on the Gaza Strip would last until all remaining hostages were released.
Palestinian health officials reported that nearly 500 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 170 children and nearly 90 women, since Israel resumed its bombardment of the coastal territory overnight Tuesday, ending a ceasefire with Hamas that began in January. According to Palestinian officials, at least 678 others have been wounded.
On Tuesday, an Israeli official told ABC News of Hamas, “They got hammered last night and they’re going to continue to be hammered until we get the hostages out.”
An Israeli official described the Israel Defense Forces’ renewed attacks on Hamas in Gaza as a “different form of negotiating,” and stated that Israel had “not closed the door” to resuming talks through mediators if Hamas is willing to accept additional hostage-prisoner swaps.
An Israeli official told ABC News on Tuesday that the offensive will last “as long as necessary” and will go beyond air strikes.
Far-right Israeli Minister Ben Gvir and his party have rejoined Netanyahu’s coalition in the Knesset, having left when the ceasefire went into effect earlier this year.
Gvir has extreme views and believes Netanyahu should go even further in Gaza. The Israeli budget will be voted on at the end of March.
If Netanyahu’s coalition fails to pass that budget, his government will dissolve, according to Israeli law.
Wednesday saw new strikes in Gaza. The IDF claimed it targeted “a Hamas military site in northern Gaza where preparations were being made to fire projectiles at Israeli territory.”
The Israeli navy also “struck several vessels in the coastal area of the Gaza Strip,” which the IDF claimed were intended for use by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, one foreign staffer working for the United Nations was killed by an Israeli strike in central Gaza on Wednesday, while five others sustained “severe” injuries. According to the ministry, the wounded were taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.
The IDF denied involvement. “Contrary to reports, the IDF did not strike a UN compound in Deir el Balah,” the statement read.
At least 20 more people were killed overnight: 10 in Rafah and another 10 in Khan Younis, according to Gaza Civil Defense Spokesperson Mahmoud Basal on Wednesday.
Israel’s renewed campaign in Gaza brought an end to nearly two months of relative calm in the region, which has been devastated by intense fighting since October 2023. The ceasefire resulted in the release of 33 Israeli hostages from Gaza in exchange for the release of nearly 1,800 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Fifty-nine hostages are believed to be still in Gaza, with 24 of them presumed alive. Edan Alexander is the last American-Israeli hostage believed to be alive.
Several members of Hamas’ administrative and civil wings were killed in the latest strikes. They included Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Abu Tuffah, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, and Omar al-Hatta, the Deputy Minister of Justice.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Tuesday that his country would respond to Hamas “with increasing intensity.”
“From now on, negotiations will only take place under fire,” he declared in a statement. “Hamas has already felt the presence of our force in the last 24 hours and I want to assure you: This is just the beginning.”
“The military strike on Hamas and the release of our hostages are not contradictory goals — they are goals that are intertwined,” the prime minister said.
The renewed offensive sparked widespread protests in Israel, including from families of those still held hostage in Gaza.
“The greatest fear of the families, the kidnapped, and the citizens of Israel has come true,” the Hostage Families’ Forum said in a statement released on Tuesday. “The Israeli government has chosen to give up on the kidnapped.”
