Israel Issues Final Evacuation Warning for Gaza City Residents, Declares Non-Evacuees as Terrorists

Final Warning Issued to Gaza City Residents

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, issued a stark ultimatum on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, to residents of Gaza City, urging them to evacuate to the southern part of the enclave. Katz stated that anyone remaining in Gaza City would be considered 'terrorists and terror supporters' and would face the 'full force' of Israel's ongoing offensive. This declaration marks what the Israeli military has termed the 'last opportunity' for civilians to move south as military operations intensify.

Intensified Military Operations and Evacuation Routes

The warning was delivered amidst a significant escalation of military activities aimed at rooting out Hamas fighters in Gaza City. Defense Minister Katz emphasized that the campaign would continue until 'all hostages are returned and Hamas is disarmed, on the path to ending the war.' An estimated half a million Palestinians were believed to still be in Gaza City at the time of the warning. Israeli tanks have reportedly blocked the main road leading into Gaza City, preventing those who had left from returning and effectively cleaving Gaza in two. While residents in the north could still move southwards along the coastal route, those attempting to return were denied entry.

Humanitarian Concerns and Broader Conflict Context

The intensified assault has led to severe humanitarian consequences. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced the suspension of its operations in Gaza City due to the escalating violence. Local hospitals reported that at least 51 people were killed on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, as Israeli forces launched a major offensive across several areas of Gaza City. Gaza's civil defense agency specifically noted 46 deaths, including 36 in Gaza City, on the same day. This latest development occurs nearly two years into the conflict, which began with Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. Since then, over 66,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and more than 168,000 injured, according to Gaza health authorities. The warning also coincided with reports that Hamas was weighing a new peace proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump, which includes demands for Hamas to disarm and release all hostages.