Evacuation efforts continue in the Gaza Strip: six days after cutting off water to the strip, Israel renewed water supply to the southern Gaza Strip today (Sunday) – as confirmed by the Energy Ministry. The effort comes as part of the attempt to convince Gazan civilians to evacuate from the north of the strip.
According to a statement by the Energy Ministry’s office, “in order to tighten the siege and according to the decision of the political leadership, in coordination with the United States, one water point was opened up in the southern Gaza Strip in order to encourage residents of the strip to move south and receive water.”
As noted, already last Friday, the IDF announced to the residents of Gaza and the northern strip that they are required to move south beyond the Gaza creek line, in order to avoid harm. While many tried to evacuate, residents reported that Hamas is preventing them from going to a safe area, even establishing roadblocks to prevent those interested in evacuating.
Hamas took the car keys (Source: IDF Spokesperson)
Among others, a resident of Jabalia in the Gaza Strip said in conversation with an intelligence officer of unity 504 said that Hamas was preventing them from moving south to safety. In a conversation recorded by the IDF, the resident attested that Hamas impounded their personal equipment and car keys from the safe area they were hiding in. The IDF said that “This is further proof that the Hamas terror organization is actively preventing its citizens from evacuating and moving south to protect themselves.”