Gaza Under Fire: The Israeli Army Opens a Temporary Escape Route Amid Military Escalation and Mass Displacement

In a new development in the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army announced on Wednesday the opening of an additional route for 48 hours via Salah al-Din Street, allowing Palestinians to leave the city of Gaza towards the south, in an attempt to evacuate the city of civilians before escalating military operations against Hamas fighters.

Despite the announcement, the fears of the residents remain high, as many hesitate to leave due to the lack of guarantees for return, the security risks on the road, and the shortage of food and services in the south.

One teacher from the Sabra neighborhood said: "I prefer to die here... Is there a guarantee we can return?".

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, at least 50 people were killed on Wednesday, including 39 in the city of Gaza, raising the Palestinian death toll since the war began to over 65,000, amid estimates that the actual number is higher due to remains under the rubble.

An Israeli drone also targeted the Al-Rantisi Children's Hospital, forcing dozens of families to evacuate, although no injuries were reported. The hospital is considered the only facility for treating children with cancer and kidney failure, which sparked a wave of international outrage.

Israeli tanks advanced from three axes towards the center and west of the city, but without achieving significant breakthroughs.

An Israeli official stated that controlling Gaza could take several months, with the possibility of suspending the operation if a ceasefire is reached, although the attack on Hamas leaders in Doha angered Qatar and diminished chances for calm.

In contrast, the United Nations and relief agencies condemned the attack, while a UN investigative committee concluded that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, which Tel Aviv described as "shameful and false".

The humanitarian situation is worsening, with reports indicating the destruction of 1,600 residential buildings and 13,000 tents for the displaced since Israel announced its intention to control the sector. About one million Palestinians are trapped in southern camps suffering from a severe hunger crisis, amid the absence of any safe place in the sector.