‘Get out now’ – Gaza civilians told to flee as Israel bid to ‘neutralise’ Hamas

Civilians were urged to grab a last chance to flee northern Gaza last night as Israel warned the war had entered a "new phase."

Palestinians still living there were told: "Your window to act is closing, move south for your own safety. This is not a precaution, this is an urgent plea."

It came as Israel pummelled Gaza with airstrikes on a scale "never seen before," amid scenes of "total chaos." Israel said its "best soldiers" were now on the ground in Gaza and had been "acting with great force."

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For the latest updates from the Israel-Hamas conflict from the Daily Star, click here.

IDF Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari pledged they would "neutralise the threat of Hamas with precision and intensity." The IDF said 150 "underground targets" were hit in strikes on the territory.

Yesterday Palestinian officials said the situation in Gaza was "catastrophic." Aid agencies have lost touch with staff and hospitals are struggling to operate without energy, food, water and medication.

Phone lines and the internet have been cut off, adding to the chaos. More than 7,000 civilians are reported to have died in Israeli strikes on Gaza since the war began.

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  Israeli army and elite force take out Hamas leader behind 2002 school attack

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant warned "the action will continue until a new order" is established in Gaza. Last night PM Benjamin Netanyahu met relatives of hostages seized in the October 7 attacks by Hamas that killed 1,400 Israelis and pledged to "bring them home."

He later said Israel faced "a long and difficult war," adding: "We will win. We will prevail."

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