Israel opens new Gaza route amid soaring death toll

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

Officials said around 100,000 civilians are expected to remain in the city, and capturing it could take months unless a ceasefire is reached with Hamas. Health authorities reported at least 63 Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes and gunfire in a single day, most of them in Gaza City. The overall death toll from the two-year conflict has now crossed 65000, with many victims still under destroyed buildings. Since August 10, when Israel announced plans to take control of Gaza City, nearly 400000 residents have fled. According to the Gaza Media Office, 190000 have moved south while 350000 shifted to central and western areas.

The Israeli military has dropped leaflets telling civilians to use Salahudin Road to evacuate before Friday, but many continue to flee on foot, carts, or vehicles under dangerous conditions. The United Nations and global leaders have condemned Israel’s offensive and mass displacement plans. UN agencies stressed that evacuation orders do not remove Israel’s responsibility to protect civilians.

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Spain’s King Felipe VI jointly called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unrestricted aid delivery. Qatar also urged Israel to halt its assault, calling it part of a wider war against the Palestinian people.