Israeli army warns Gazans against movement between northern, southern enclave

JERUSALEM

The Israeli army warned residents in the Gaza Strip on Saturday against moving between the northern and southern parts of the enclave or approaching areas of its military presence.

The army claimed that its forces would “remain deployed in specific areas within the Gaza Strip."

"Based on the agreement, the Israeli forces will remain deployed in designated areas of the Gaza Strip,” it said in a statement. "Approaching the forces puts you at risk."

The army emphasized "the dangers of movement between the northern and southern parts of the Strip or approaching the Rafah crossing, the Philadelphi Corridor (south), and the Netzarim axis (central)."

Additionally, it cautioned residents against "fishing, swimming, or entering the maritime zone."

It claimed that "a statement will be issued when residents are allowed to move between northern and southern Gaza."

Earlier Saturday, the government in Gaza announced the completion of a "comprehensive plan" to address the ceasefire deal between Palestinian factions and Israel, which will take effect Sunday.

The Gaza Media Office said institutions are fully prepared to implement the measures. Field teams from various ministries will oversee the plan's application to ensure life returns to normal as quickly as possible.

Qatar announced a three-phase ceasefire agreement on Wednesday to end more than 15 months of deadly Israeli attacks on Gaza with the deal set to take effect at 8.30 a.m. local time (0630GMT) Sunday.

Nearly 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed and more than 110,700 injured in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, according to local health authorities.​​​​​​​

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala