Residents of northern Gaza evacuated as the Israeli military commenced heavy shelling and airstrikes on May 17, indicating an expanded ground invasion. The Gaza Government Media Office reported that over 300,000 Palestinians were displaced within 48 hours, causing significant concern about the capacity of Gaza City to accommodate them. Continuing fears of forced displacement further south into Rafah reflect the intentions articulated by Israeli leaders to control aid distribution and facilitate the eventual expulsion of Palestinians, aiming for a rearrangement in the demographics of Gaza.
Residents of northern Gaza began fleeing en masse on the morning of Saturday, May 17, as the Israeli military launched a wave of indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes on Beit Lahia and its surrounding areas.
The Gaza Government Media Office said that 'the Israeli occupation has displaced more than 300,000 Palestinians from northern Gaza' within the space of 48 hours.
This latest wave of forced displacement has raised fears that the Israeli military plans to make good on the promises of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to force the people of Gaza even further south into Rafah.
Residents fear that once operations in the north are complete, the full evacuation of Gaza City may follow.
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