Hamas Shooting at Palestinians Trying to Flee Northern Gaza

Jerusalem, 26 October, 2023 (TPS) -- The Israel Defense Forces on Thursday posted on social media a recording in which a Palestinian man confirmed that Hamas is shooting at civilians trying to flee northern Gaza. The recording was posted on social media.

Arab-speaking members of the IDF’s Military Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 504 have been telephoning residents of northern Gaza, urging them to flee to Khan Yunis, in the Strip’s south ahead of an expected ground invasion.

In the audio recording, the IDF officer tells a man identified as Muhammed to urgently leave and that his location is unsafe, but he responds that Hamas has blocked the Salah al-Din Route, Gaza’s main highway, with cars.

“They are shooting at people,” Muhammed said when asked to elaborate on how the road was blocked.

“What are they shooting? Are they shooting at people trying to leave?” the officer asked.

“Yes, yes, yes” Muhammed answered.

Israel has warned residents of the Strip’s northern areas to move south, but Hamas has set up roadblocks to prevent movement.

The Tazpit Press Service has learned that operatives of the terror group are telling residents that they may be harmed if they leave, and it is safer to stay in homes that can be used as shelters. But few, if any residential in the Strip have bomb shelters or adequate safe rooms.

Israeli forces staged a limited raid into northern Gaza on Wednesday night. Soldiers struck terrorists along with terror infrastructure and anti-tank missile launch posts in order “to prepare the battlefield,” before returning to Israeli territory, the IDF said.