Hamas rejects Israel’s Gaza relocation plan

On August 17, Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned Israel’s plan to relocate residents from Gaza City, calling it a "new wave of genocide and displacement" affecting hundreds of thousands of people.

The group criticised Israel’s deployment of tents and other shelter equipment in southern Gaza as a "blatant deception," Caliber.Az reports, citing Western media.

The Israeli military said it plans to begin providing tents and other supplies from Sunday in preparation for relocating residents from combat zones to the south of the enclave "to ensure their safety."

In a statement, Hamas accused Israel of disguising its military operation as humanitarian aid, saying the deployment of tents is intended to "cover up a brutal crime that the occupation forces prepare to execute."

Earlier this month, Israel announced plans for a new offensive to seize control of northern Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban center. The announcement has raised international concern over the fate of the densely populated area, home to roughly 2.2 million people.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli authorities. About 20 of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza are believed to still be alive.

Israel’s subsequent military assault on Hamas has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s health ministry reports. The offensive has also triggered a hunger crisis, displaced much of Gaza’s population, and left significant parts of the enclave in ruins.

By Khagan Isayev