Israel orders evacuations in Gaza City amid military operations

IANS April 11, 2025 202 views

The Israel Defense Forces have escalated military operations in Gaza City, issuing urgent evacuation orders for eastern neighborhoods to protect civilians. Israeli forces have conducted targeted strikes, killing several Hamas militants, including the commander of the Shejaiya Battalion. The IDF claims to be systematically dismantling Hamas' military infrastructure and neutralizing potential threats. These operations continue to unfold in the context of ongoing tensions following the October 7th attacks.

"For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to the known shelter centres in western Gaza City" - Avichay Adraee, IDF Arabic Spokesperson
Jerusalem, April 11: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday issued an urgent evacuation order for residents in several neighbourhoods of eastern Gaza City as military operations intensified in the area.

Key Points

1

IDF calls for civilian evacuation in eastern Gaza City

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Multiple Hamas militants killed in targeted operations

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Shejaiya Battalion commander neutralized in strategic strike

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Ongoing military efforts to dismantle terrorist infrastructure

In a message posted on social media X, IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on civilians to move westward for their safety.

"The IDF is working intensively in your areas to destroy terrorist infrastructure," he wrote, Xinhua news agency reported. "For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to the known shelter centres in western Gaza City," he added.

Meanwhile, the IDF said in a statement that it had killed Hamas militant Ahmad Iyad Muhammad Farhat during a recent operation in Tel al-Sultan refugee camp in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.

According to the IDF, Farhat was the head of sniper operations for Hamas' Tel al-Sultan Battalion and was responsible for organising and carrying out attacks on Israeli forces.

The IDF also reported additional operations since Thursday across the southern and northern Gaza Strip, in which several Hamas militants were killed.

The military added that it had dismantled Hamas' military infrastructure and neutralized booby-trapped buildings during these efforts.

On Thursday, the IDF and Israeli Security Agency said in a joint statement that they had killed the commander of Hamas' Shejaiya Battalion in Gaza.

According to the statement, the commander, Haitham Razek Abd al-Karim Sheikh Khalil, was killed on Wednesday in a strike against a command and control center located about one kilometre from IDF troops operating in Gaza City.

The statement alleged that "several Hamas terrorists operated from within the command centre to plan and execute terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers."

According to the IDF, Khalil commanded the infiltration into Israel's Kibbutz Nahal Oz and took part in the attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. In recent years, he served as a platoon commander in the battalion and guided Hamas' tunnel operations. He assumed command of Shejaiya Battalion following the elimination of the previous commanders, Jamil Wadia and Fahim Farhat.

Reader Comments

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Sarah K.
This situation is heartbreaking for civilians caught in the middle. While I understand Israel's security concerns, I hope evacuation routes remain safe and humanitarian aid can reach those who need it most. 🙏
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Mike T.
The IDF seems to be making progress against Hamas leadership, but at what cost? The article mentions multiple commanders eliminated - does this actually weaken Hamas or just create new leadership?
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Aisha R.
As someone with family in Gaza, these evacuation orders terrify me. Where are people supposed to go? The "known shelter centers" are already overcrowded and lack basic supplies. The international community needs to do more.
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David L.
While I support Israel's right to defend itself, I wish the article provided more context about civilian casualties. The focus on military achievements feels one-sided. Responsible journalism should show all perspectives.
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James P.
Neutralizing booby-trapped buildings is crucial work. Hamas puts civilians at risk by operating this way. Hope the IDF can complete their mission with minimal collateral damage.
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Layla M.
The cycle of violence just continues... when will leaders on both sides prioritize peace over military operations? My heart breaks for all the innocent people affected by this endless conflict.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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Tags:
Israel-Hamas War Gaza Conflict IDF Operations Military Evacuations Hamas Militants
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