Airstrikes in Gaza kill nine people as Israel issues evacuation notice

Palestinian medical officials say Israeli strikes in northern and central Gaza early Saturday have killed at least nine people.

One strike hit a group of people in the northern town of Beit Hanoun, killing at least five people, including two children, according to the Health Ministry’s Ambulance and Emergency Service.

Another strike hit a house in the northern part of Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least four people, the Awda hospital said. The strike also left several wounded according to the hospital officials.

The Israeli military (IDF) did not have any immediate comment on the strikes but has long accused Hamas of operating from within civilian areas and using civilian facilities as command centres.

Almost 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza during the almost year-long war, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.

IDF gives first warning in weeks

Meanwhile, Israel’s military gave its first evacuation warning in weeks, telling civilians in areas of central Gaza to leave ahead of strikes targeting Hamas fighters.

The IDF wants civilians to leave a part of central Gaza because “great force” is about to be used against Hamas fighters hiding there.

The warning came on Saturday, October 5, while many Israeli troops were being redeployed to the border of Lebanon which made it seem like the Israeli army was shifting its focus largely to Hezbollah.

The evacuation order was posted by the Israeli army on social media with an attached map listing the areas to be evacuated. It said:

“Hamas and the terrorist organisations continue their terrorist activities within your area and, as a result, the IDF will act with great force against these elements.”