IDF launches offensive in retaliation for rocket fire

The IDF Spokesperson in Arabic has released a map of neighborhoods in Gaza City telling the residents of multiple neighborhoods to evacuate today (Wednesday) ahead of a coming IDF offensive.

According to the Spokesperson's statement:

"To all residents of the Gaza Strip located in the following neighborhoods: Western and Eastern Zaytoun, Tal Al-Hawa, the Old Town, Sheikh Ajlin, Sheikh, Nufouz Expansion, and Southern Rimal

"This is a prior and final warning before an attack!

"Terrorist organizations have resumed launching their rocket shells from within civilian areas. We have warned this area multiple times.

"For your safety, you must immediately move south of the Gaza Valley to the known shelter centers."

The offensive appears to be a targeted retaliation against attempted rocket attacks on Israel today, rather than a full-scale expansion of IDF offensive operations against Hamas.

According to Israeli media, the IDF believes it has time on its side, as supplies will run out in the Gaza Strip in less than two months, and no additional humanitarian aid is coming in after the government decided to stop its flow weeks ago.

However, Defense Minister Israel Katz also warned the Gazan population today in a video statement that there are already plans that have been approved to launch offensives against additional areas in the Gaza Strip, and he called on them to join the anti-Hamas protests to help bring an end to the war and the freeing of the hostages.