The Israeli military issued and later reiterated evacuation orders for Gaza City’s population as its ground operation commenced. Gaza’s health officials reported difficulties for ambulance and emergency workers attempting to reach individuals injured or trapped by Israeli strikes.
Residents offered various reasons for not evacuating. Bahja stated that financial inability and concerns for the safety of a pregnant wife, coupled with worries about reported conditions in the south, prevented their departure. Younes corroborated these concerns, relaying accounts from his sister about crowded and unsanitary conditions in southern areas, where drinking water quality was described as worse than in Gaza City.
One woman reported her son was injured while seeking flour at an aid distribution site and expressed concerns regarding her family’s future food security. Another resident, Al Saptie, indicated plans to relocate to a different neighborhood within the city should Israeli troops advance further.
Source: www.nytimes.com