Israel's military on Tuesday (September 9) ordered Gaza City residents to evacuate ahead of a new offensive, after Israel warned it would step up its military attacks in the strip in a "mighty hurricane" if Hamas does not free the last hostages it holds.

Taking over the city of one million Palestinians complicates ceasefire efforts to end the nearly two-year war as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right partners follow through with his plan to take on what they have said are Hamas' two remaining strongholds.

The evacuation orders caused panic and confusion among the residents of Gaza City. Some said they would have no choice but to leave for the south, while the vast majority of others said they would stay as no other place was safe.

Israel had already taken control of 75% of Gaza since the war began with Hamas' cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, in which some 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, Israeli tallies show. Israeli authorities say 20 of the remaining 48 hostages in Gaza are alive.

Israel's subsequent military assault has killed over 62,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says, and internally displaced nearly the entire population and left much of the territory in ruins.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

GAZA CITY, GAZA (SEPTEMBER 9, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PALESTINIANS STANDING AND WALKING / LEAFLETS FALLING

2. MOVING SHOT SHOWING PALESTINIANS REACTING TO LEAFLETS / TWO MEN LOOKING AT LEAFLET

3. PALESTINIANS HOLDING LEAFLETS

4. LEAFLET THAT READS (Arabic): "Urgent warning! To all residents of Gaza City and all its neighbourhoods, from the old town, to Tuffah (neighbourhood) in the east and to the sea in the west: The Israel Defense Forces are determined to eliminate Hamas and will operate in the Gaza City area with great force, as they have across the rest of the Strip. For your safety, evacuate immediately through the Rashid axis towards the humanitarian corridor in Mawasi (neighbourhood). Remaining in the area is extremely dangerous."

4. LEAFLETS FALLING

5. PALESTINIANS STANDING NEAR/ON RUBBLE

6. PALESTINIAN HOLDING LEAFLETS