Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that the military has almost surrounded Gaza City. Civilians have been given a final chance to leave the city and travel south to Gaza. The Israeli army has promised that the last, Rashid coastal road, which is used for evacuation, will be closed by the end of the day.
According to Katz, after the closure of Rashid Road, the ring around Gaza City will be almost completely closed, and anyone who decides to leave the city will have to go through IDF checkpoints.
"This is the last chance for Gazans to travel south without obstacles, leaving Hamas terrorists in a state of isolation," the Israeli defense minister said.
He warned that the military will consider those who remain in the city as "terrorists or those who support terrorism."
"The Israel Defense Forces are prepared for all scenarios and are determined to continue their operations until all hostages are returned and Hamas disarms," he said.
The statement came as the United States, Israel, and international mediators await Hamas' response to a US-proposed ceasefire plan, which Israel accepted last Monday.
Palestinian sources close to Hamas' leadership told AFP on Wednesday that there was a split within the group over Trump's plan. Some believe the proposal should be accepted as long as Trump and several Arab mediators guarantee the agreement's implementation. Others see the plan as a threat that makes future Palestinian resistance virtually impossible.
Hamas has promised to give a final response "within two to three days."
The source stated that Hamas negotiators met with Turkish, Egyptian, and Qatari officials in Doha on Tuesday. They want to make changes to some points of the plan, such as the disarmament and expulsion of members of Hamas and other factions from Gaza. In particular, they are demanding international guarantees that Israel will not persecute them in the future, either in Palestinian territory or beyond.
