Many in Gaza City Ignore Israeli Military’s Calls to Evacuate

During nine months of war, Amani Zanin’s extended family has fled from place to place, escaping the Israeli bombardments that have flattened many neighborhoods in northern Gaza.

But this week, when the Israeli military issued repeated calls for Palestinians to clear out of Gaza City, the Zanin family and many others decided not to leave.

“The road is not safe,” said Ms. Zanin, whose family is now sheltering in a school building.

Exhausted by the constant threat of bombardment and encircled by death and decimation, families in the northern Gaza Strip who heeded earlier warnings to flee are now taking the risk of staying put.

Fliers dropped by the Israeli military over parts of Gaza City and posted on social media laid out four “safe corridors” Palestinians could use to get to central Gaza “quickly and without inspection.”

“Gaza City will remain a dangerous combat zone,” the fliers warned.

Residents also reported receiving multiple calls on their cellular phones from the Israeli military with a recorded message warning them to flee south.

Few appear to be heeding the warnings.