The Jerusalem Post reports that the IDF has opened an additional evacuation traffic corridor out of Gaza City as the major offensive to disarm and defeat Hamas progresses. The temporary corridor, which will remain open until September 19, is intended to ease civilian traffic congestion in the southern part of the city. IDF operations have also been increasing near the shoreline.
The IDF called on residents to use only the designated route and to follow instructions given by security personnel. The army also emphasized that traffic signs have been placed along the route to assist civilians.
As of Tuesday, approximately 350,000 residents had already left Gaza City, according to the army, out of an estimated one million people who reside there.
The IDF has urged a complete evacuation of Gaza – even as Hamas terrorists attempt to force civilians to stay – and has made efforts such as sending recorded messages in Arabic, airdropping leaflets, and placing additional signs along evacuation routes to ensure that no civilian gets lost or left behind. The additional corridor is also meant to reduce travel times to designated southern humanitarian zones, which civilians say take several hours.