“The big news today when most of us were asleep – Israel, through the United Nations, warned citizens of Gaza in the northern part of Gaza with 1.1 million people located,” said Chad Hartman of Audacy news station WCCO Friday. “It is time for you to leave with the anticipation that the onslaught is going to begin in 24 hours, the U.N. said this is impossible. They have nowhere to go.”
Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organization hit Israel with a surprise attack over the weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war in retaliation to the attack, and fighting has continued through this week.
Regarding Israel’s warning to Palestinian civilians CBS News’ Major Garrett told Hartman that “it’s a warning with rhetorical importance, but almost zero practical consequence.”
He explained that Palestinians are likely going to have trouble if they try to leave Gaza. Egyptian leadership has said it won’t let Palestinians enter the country. While some could evacuate to north Gaza, Garrett said there isn’t enough room for more than 1 million people there.
This means that many people are essentially trapped there.
“What is true is the Palestinian civilians who have died this weekend, who are likely to die this weekend and into next week don’t have a choice,” said Garrett. “They’re stuck with Hamas and Hamas sticks themselves within them to increase their vulnerability and their peril. To my mind, and I think to any rational mind that intensifies the terroristic nature of Hamas.”
A U.N. spokesperson also told CBS News the world body “considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences.”
However, Israeli officials have dismissed this response and said it ignored the severity of the attack on Israel. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, health officials said Friday that around 1,900 Palestinians had been killed and nearly 7,700 wounded by Israeli airstrikes since the attack. It also said that Israel reported 1,300 people died in the Hamas attack and that 3,000 people were injured.
At least 27 Americans died in the attack, per CBS News. In addition to casualties, there are hostages on both sides
“This morning, I spoke with family members of Americans who are still unaccounted for following the terrorist attack in Israel,” said President Joe Biden. “I assured them of my personal commitment to do everything possible to return them to their families. We won't stop until they’re home.”
CNN reported that the Biden administration continues to support Israel and move military assets to aid the country. Israel and the U.S. are close allies.
“The IDF conducted raids in Gazan territory to eliminate the threat of terrorist cells and infrastructure,” said the Israeli Defense Forces in a Friday afternoon X post update on battle in the region. “Soldiers collected evidence that will aid in locating hostages. The IAF continued striking Hamas terrorist targets and anti-tank missile launchers in Gaza immediately after they were used to attack Israel.”
Some experts believe the war may last some time.
“We are in a war for the house and it must end in one thing: complete victory, crushing and eliminating Hamas,” said Netanyahu in a speech posted to X Friday.