Palestinians began fleeing their homes shortly after the Israeli forces announced that an offensive was imminent in the Gaza Strip.
There have been calls for Israel to give more time before military action as the evacuation of 1.1 million people in southern Gaza could turn into a tragedy, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization.
Josep Borrell, speaking to news media during a visit to China, stated that a short evacuation period will definitely lead to a humanitarian disaster due to the lack of shelters and appropriate transport, so Israel to give more time.
At the same time, the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a strong statement on what Israel intends to do to the civilians of Gaza:
Its absolute rejection and condemnation of Israel, the occupying power’s calls for the forced displacement of the Palestinian people.
South Korea plans to evacuate more than 200 citizens later Saturday.
According to Seoul’s Foreign Ministry, South Korea is to evacuate 220 citizens from South Korea and other Asian countries, including 163 South Koreans, 51 Japanese nationals and six Singaporean nationals.
There are also still 470 South Korean nationals in Israel who have refused to be evacuated. No South Korean casualties have yet been reported.
The situation regarding the abduction of civilians continues to escalate.
Militants took 150 hostages in a Saturday attack. Relatives have appealed for help to the UN to involve the international community in the issue and bring their loved ones back home.
Yoni Asher told diplomats at an Israel-organized event that there was nothing he could do since his wife and two young daughters disappeared after an operation launched by Hamas. “I don’t know if I got any more tears left,” he said. “I’m exhausted, and I just want to approach whoever can hear me in the international community. Please bring back my baby girls.”
