Netanyahu Meets Israeli Troops Outside Gaza | VOA News

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli infantrymen outside the Gaza Strip Saturday, his office said in a statement.

Israel’s military has announced a roughly six-hour window for Palestinians to continue fleeing south along specified routes inside of Gaza, as thousands vacate their homes following evacuation orders ahead of a possible Israel Defense Forces ground assault.

“Follow our instructions — move south of Wadi Gaza,” said Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Richard Hecht during a Saturday press briefing, suggesting residents who remain north of that geographic location may be faced with a possible Israeli offensive.

IDF officials had also told the residents in northern regions they could continue to travel south on the territory’s main highways Saturday “without any harm” until 4 p.m.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed early Friday it had notified residents in Gaza City to leave for "their own safety and protection" after it vowed to annihilate Hamas after its fighters stormed through towns and villages in southern Israel last week, killing 1,300 Israelis, mainly civilians, and making off with scores of hostages.

"You will be able to return to Gaza City only when another announcement permitting it is made," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said in a live-streamed briefing on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Hamas has called for everyone to "remain steadfast in your homes and to stand firm in the face of this disgusting psychological war waged by the occupation," according to reports by The Associated Press.