IDF tells 'all residents of Gaza City to evacuate'
Israel Defense Forces called for "all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes" and "move south for their protection" early Friday morning local time in a series of posts on X.
The IDF told residents to move "and settle in the area south of the Gaza River."
The announcement was made, according to the IDF, because it plans to "operate significantly in Gaza City in the coming days" and wanted "to avoid harming civilians."
The IDF said in its posts that it believes Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City, including in buildings with "innocent civilians” inside.
"[D]istance yourself from the Hamas terrorists who use you as a human shield," the post read.
The message was released a short time after the UN made a similar announcement, also citing Israel's military.
-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman