The terrorists implemented a broad strategy to block the exit of Palestinians from the city
Hamas's maneuvers to halt the population's exodus range from disinformation to direct violence. Militants from the group spread rumors that the humanitarian situation in the south of the Strip would be even more precarious—with a lack of food, medicine, or shelter—even though Israel has already prepared 100,000 tents to accommodate the displaced.
In other cases, there have been episodes of threats, beatings, and even shootings against those who tried to leave the city. Meanwhile, Hamas's propaganda apparatus presents remaining in Gaza as a "patriotic duty," encouraging civilians to stay in the area of imminent clashes.
When asked about the popular protests against Hamas that broke out months ago, the Israeli official acknowledged that those demonstrations have lost momentum, although he noted that in some sectors there is still local resistance from clans or armed groups that limit the Islamist movement's absolute control.
Despite Hamas's attempts, the official expressed optimism that, when air and artillery attacks intensify, most residents will eventually evacuate. It is estimated that around 200,000 people could remain, some of them moving only at the last moment.
Meanwhile, in addition to the 100,000 tents already reserved for new displaced persons, around one million Palestinians in the Strip are currently in humanitarian camps, a reality that illustrates both the magnitude of the conflict and Hamas's systematic policy of endangering the civilian population for military and propaganda purposes.
A senior Israeli defense official warned that Hamas is deploying a broad strategy to block the exit of Palestinian civilians from Gaza City, despite Israel's efforts over the past two weeks to encourage their evacuation ahead of an imminent ground offensive.
According to estimates, between 60,000 and 80,000 residents have managed to move south since Israel Defense Forces (IDF) began urging the population to evacuate. However, that figure represents only a fraction of approximately one million people who remain in the area.
According to the military source, Hamas considers the presence of civilians in Gaza a strategic asset: the greater the risk to the population, the greater the international pressure on Israel.
The terrorist group is deliberately seeking to turn its own population into human shields to hinder Israeli military operations and, at the same time, use any civilian casualties as a propaganda tool.
