The Israeli army has opened an additional 48-hour crossing to allow Palestinians to leave Gaza City, as military operations intensify to clear public areas and confront thousands of Hamas fighters.
However, hundreds of thousands remain in the city.
Many are reluctant to move south due to concerns about safety along the route, food shortages, dire conditions and fears of permanent displacement.
Gaza resident Ahmed, a school teacher, said that even if we want to leave Gaza, is there a guarantee we can return? Will the war ever end? That is why I chose to stay in Sabra.
At least 63 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, most of them in Gaza City. Official figures put the Palestinian death toll since the war began two years ago at more than 65,000, but local officials say the real figure could be higher as many are still trapped under rubble.
Among the latest casualties were 13 people, including local TV journalist Mohammad Alaa Al-Sawalhi.
In Rafah, five more were killed and dozens wounded by gunfire near an aid site. The Israeli military said it had only fired “warning” shots at an immediate threat.
Since announcing plans to take over Gaza City in August, Israel estimates 400,000 residents have fled the city. Tanks are now advancing toward the center and west, but no major progress has been reported.
An Israeli official said the operation was expected to last months, with the goal of leaving only about 100,000 civilians in the city.
The operation could be halted if a ceasefire is reached, but that prospect has become more remote after Israel attacked Hamas political leaders in Doha last week, a move that angered Qatar, the negotiating mediator.
