Israel opens new route out of Gaza for 48 hours as tanks move forward

The Israeli military said on Wednesday it was opening an additional route for 48 hours that Palestinians could use to leave Gaza City as it stepped up efforts to empty the city of civilians and confront thousands of Hamas combatants.

Hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering in the city and many are reluctant to follow Israel’s orders to move south because of the dangers along the way, dire conditions, a lack of food in the southern area, and fear of permanent displacement.

“Even if we want to leave Gaza City, is there any guarantee we would be able to come back? Will the war ever end? That's why I prefer to die here, in Sabra, my neighbourhood,” Ahmed, a school teacher, said.

40 Palestinians killed in strikes

At least 40 people were killed across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday in Israel's latest strikes, including 30 in Gaza City, local health authorities said. They also reported a drone attack on a specialist children's hospital. Israel estimates about 400,000 people, or 40 per cent of those who were in Gaza City on August 10, when it announced plans to take control — have already fled.