As the Israeli military launched a ground offensive targeting Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip, large numbers of Palestinian residents took to the road to flee.
According to Reuters and others on the 16th (local time), the Israeli military on the day began in earnest a ground offensive against Gaza City, identified as Hamas' last stronghold, despite international criticism.
On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a news conference and, addressing the leadership of the Palestinian militant faction Hamas, said, "There is no shelter for you," adding, "We will reach you much faster than you think."
Earlier, since 4th, the Israeli military had accelerated the destruction of high-rise buildings and airstrikes in Gaza City, and on the day, after large-scale airstrikes, tanks began to enter from the outskirts toward the city center. Warships and fighter jets supporting the tanks were also spotted.
As airstrikes and ground operations unfolded simultaneously and the bombardment intensified, Gaza City residents have been fleeing the city one after another. Residents of Gaza City say this bombardment is the most intense during the two years of war.
Israel, signaling its plan to seize Gaza City, issued an evacuation order to residents, and about 40% have left the city so far, the military authorities said. It is estimated that between about 400,000 and 525,000 residents have left to date. The population of Gaza City and nearby areas is about 1 million.
Asked whether he would pursue the voluntary resettlement of Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip to third countries, Prime Minister Netanyahu drew a line, saying, "That possibility certainly exists, and it has not been ruled out," but added, "It is not a policy we are actively pursuing."