Eyal Zamir, head of the Israeli Defense Forces General Staff, announced on September 3 that the second phase of the military operation aimed at occupying the Gaza Strip had begun. This was reported by Daily Sabah.
It is reported that this phase could lead to the mass displacement of the population of Gaza, especially the nearly one million people living in Gaza City. In early August, the Israeli government approved a plan for the gradual re-occupation of Gaza City. Currently, the army's main target is Gaza City.
According to Israeli officials, more than 70,000 people have already left the northern areas. It is now estimated that this number could reach one million. Israel also plans to establish a new "humanitarian zone" in the south—it could stretch from the central refugee camps to Al-Mawasi and its eastern areas.
UN and Red Cross representatives emphasize that carrying out such a mass displacement in a safe and humane manner is almost impossible. The Israeli side has announced some measures to improve the water, electricity, and healthcare infrastructure in the sector.
