Ismail Haniyeh, a leading figure in Hamas and head of its political bureau, stated that Gaza’s residents intend to stay in the territory during the ongoing conflict and will not seek refuge in Egypt. The remarks were reported by RIA News, highlighting a clear message of continuity and resistance from within Gaza.
Haniyeh emphasized that the Palestinian people reserve the right to live on their ancestral land and would not abandon Gaza or the West Bank. He conveyed to neighbors in Egypt that the decision is to remain in their homeland and confront the Zionist actions he described as aligned with American policy.
Earlier reports noted that there were no foreign nationals attempting to leave Gaza, with border crossings such as Rafah on the Egyptian border effectively closed to departures. The situation underscored a sense of confinement and a determination among residents to endure amid the fighting.
On 7 October, Hamas launched a large-scale barrage of rockets toward Israel and announced the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Militant factions reportedly crossed into Israeli territory, seizing equipment and taking hostages in what was described as a broad, multi-front escalation. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was at war and mobilized its armed forces.
The Israeli Defense Forces initiated a campaign named Iron Swords, with the stated objective of degrading Hamas’s capabilities. The Israeli Air Force conducted strikes against numerous Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip, while the National Security Council moved to sever essential supplies such as water, food, electricity, and fuel to the enclave. By mid-October, the UN warned that up to 1.1 million Palestinians might need to relocate to southern Gaza within a 24-hour window as a possible prelude to a ground operation.
Earlier statements from Israeli leadership, including appeals from Defense Minister Yoav Galant, framed the response as unprecedented and significant in scale, signaling long-lasting implications for Gaza and the broader regional dynamic. The evolving security situation has raised immediate humanitarian concerns and prompted international discussions about civilian safety and access to essential services in Gaza.