Israel’s Stance on Gaza Movement and Humanitarian Efforts Amid Escalating Conflict
Israel has not demanded that residents of the Gaza Strip relocate to Egyptian territory. A spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hasan Kaabiya, clarified this position to RIA Novosti, emphasizing that no transfer to Egypt or Sinai was discussed. The clarification came as part of outlining the government’s response to the rapidly changing situation in Gaza and the surrounding region.
According to Kaabiya, civilians in Gaza were advised to move only toward the southern part of the enclave for their safety. The extension of safe corridors was presented as a measure to facilitate civilian protection, not as a relocation to a neighboring country. The spokesman stressed that the Israeli military proposed creating secure routes that would allow people to escape danger zones, including options extending to northern Gaza, while reiterating that any movement must adhere to international law and aim to minimize civilian harm during operations.
The conflict intensified on October 7 when Hamas launched a large-scale rocket campaign into Israel and announced Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. This aggression coincided with militants infiltrating Israeli territory, seizing equipment, and taking hostages. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the nation was at war, triggering a broad military mobilization and a rapid escalation of hostilities that drew in regional and international actors.
In the ensuing military campaign, the Israel Defense Forces launched what was described as Iron Swords, a concerted operation aimed at neutralizing Hamas leadership and military capabilities inside Gaza. The campaign involved extensive airstrikes against suspected militant sites and infrastructure across the Gaza Strip. The National Security Council of Israel made the decision to pause or reduce certain civilian sustenance lines as a part of the broader strategy, including measures affecting water, food, electrical power, and fuel supplies to parts of Gaza as authorities assessed security risks and humanitarian needs.
On October 13, a formal communication to the United Nations indicated that a substantial number of Palestinians, estimated at around 1.1 million, would be evacuated south of Gaza ahead of a potential ground operation. The move was framed as a precaution aimed at protecting civilians during an anticipated military ground phase, though it also raised questions about access to essentials and humanitarian corridors for those displaced or stranded in affected areas.
From the international side, several major powers and allies—namely the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy—expressed a commitment to coordinating humanitarian assistance for Gaza. The goal was to ensure aid could reach civilians in need despite the security situation, while preserving safety for aid workers and preventing misuse of relief supplies in a volatile environment. While those efforts were announced, discussions continued about the most effective channels for delivery, the speed of aid distribution, and the protection of vulnerable populations amid ongoing hostilities.
As the conflict evolved, discussions emerged about the conditions under which a potential ground operation could proceed or be reassessed. Israeli officials indicated that any decision would be contingent on security assessments, the status of hostages, and the ability to minimize civilian casualties. Humanitarian considerations remained a constant backdrop to military planning, with international partners urging a careful balance between security needs and the protection of civilians in Gaza. Reports from various government and international bodies highlighted the urgent need for reliable aid routes, access to medical care, food, water, and shelter for those displaced or trapped in conflict zones. Marked by rapid changes on the ground, the situation required ongoing monitoring of humanitarian conditions, civilian protection measures, and the legal frameworks guiding military operations according to international law.