Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing eastern Gaza City amid fears of an imminent Israeli ground invasion, with relentless airstrikes pushing families toward the south and west. The planned offensive has sparked international alarm and triggered large-scale protests in Israel, where demonstrators demand a deal to free the remaining 50 hostages held by Hamas since October 2023. Meanwhile, Gazans are calling for an end to the war, which has left much of the territory in ruins.
The looming assault threatens to displace hundreds of thousands, many of whom have already been uprooted multiple times. Ahmed Mheisen, a shelter manager in Beit Lahiya, reported that nearly 1,000 families have fled the area in recent days. The UN estimates 1.35 million people urgently need shelter, yet only a fraction of required aid has been allowed into Gaza.
Pressure is mounting on Hamas as civilians plan protests to demand action. A union-led demonstration is scheduled for Thursday, with many taking to social media to voice their frustration. The last ceasefire talks stalled in late July, with both sides blaming each other. Hamas has reportedly expressed willingness to discuss a US-backed 60-day truce but insists on a broader deal to end the war entirely.
As tensions escalate, Gazans face an agonizing wait. “We are like people sentenced to death, just waiting for execution,” said one businessman preparing to evacuate his family. With no clear path to peace, the world watches as Gaza braces for another devastating chapter in this brutal conflict.