'Do not fall for it, remain steadfast': Hamas to Palestinians after Israel's evacuation warning

After the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) warned Palestinians in Northern Gaza to evacuate the region within 24 hours, Hamas has asked residents to stay put and “not fall for the evacuation warning.”

The Hamas Authority for Refugee Affairs has asked Palestinians living north of Wadi Gaza to “remain steadfast in your homes and to stand firm in the face of this disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation.”

In a statement posted on its website, Hamas called Israel “delusional” for thinking people would flee the region after their warning.

“Scenes of migration and displacement are a thing of the past and won’t be repeated, except with the victorious return of our people to our occupied land,” the terror group said.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) notified the UN at midnight on Friday that the entire Palestinian population north of Wadi Gaza should relocate to Southern Gaza within 24 hours.

A UN spokesperson said the warning was delivered to team leaders of the UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the UN’s Department of Safety and Security in Gaza by their liaison officers in the IDF.

The warning indicated that the IDF might be preparing to launch a ground invasion after six days of aerial attack in response to a surprise and unprecedented Hamas onslaught on Saturday (October 7).

‘We will stay’

Refaat Alareer, a Palestinian academic and writer based in Gaza, said on X, “We are staying. Some families left to other areas also bombed by Israel. If we are bombed anyway, many believe we must stay wherever we are but also to prevent another Nakba [displacement] of native Palestinians.”

In 1948, a large-scale displacement of Palestinians took place when Israel was formed into a nation.

#GazaGenocide: Will this be our last sunrise?!
We are staying. Some families left to other areas also bombed by Israel. If we are bombed anyway, many believe we must stay wherever we are but also to prevent another Nakba/displacement of native Palestinians. pic.twitter.com/ZoDR5Xs0L4

— Refaat