North Gazan Resident Trying to Leave War Zone Tells IDF Hamas Blocking Civilian Exodus

Hamas has been accused of blocking Palestinian civilians from evacuating south along the Gaza Strip ahead of a looming Israeli military operation.

Smoke billows during Israeli air strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza City on Oct. 12, 2023. Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images

Hamas has been accused by a Gazan resident and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of blocking Palestinian civilians from leaving the northern Gaza Strip ahead of announced plans for an Israeli offensive targeting Hamas infrastructure and operatives in the Palestinian Hamas-ruled territory.

Gazan civilians are being urged by Israel to evacuate from known Hamas locations and hideouts ahead of the planned Israeli military response in retaliation for the surprise Oct. 7 attack on Israel.