Israel Orders Evacuation of Beit Hanoun and Nearby Neighborhoods

Latest Developments

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called for the evacuation of the Beit Hanoun, Manshiya, and Sheikh Zayed areas in the northern Gaza Strip on August 7 due to Hamas activity. IDF Arabic Spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee instructed evacuees to move south “to known shelters in the center of Gaza City.” The evacuation call follows a rocket attack on Tuesday that targeted the southern Israeli cities of Ashkelon and Sderot. Adraee warned that “The IDF will act forcefully and immediately against” terrorists operating in the designated evacuation zones.

The clashes occurred as indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas continue. On August 3, Israel sent a high-level delegation to Cairo for talks with American and Egyptian negotiators on reaching a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The discussions were reportedly centered on two key topics: the release of hostages and security concerns about the Egypt-Gaza border.

Expert Analysis

“While Hamas has taken a hit with the IDF targeting senior leaders, battalion commanders, and fighters, it still has the capacity to strike into Israel with mortars and rockets. Israeli leaders have been bullish on the prospect of defeating Hamas. However, this evacuation demonstrates that there is much more work to be done before Hamas is eliminated as a military threat to Israel.” — Bill Roggio, FDD Senior Fellow

“The frequency of rockets fired by Hamas and its allies at the State of Israel has risen in recent months. These attacks have primarily targeted communities near the Gaza Strip, particularly cities like Ashkelon and Sderot. While Israel has seemingly neutralized Hamas and Islamic Jihad’s capacity to launch long-range rockets towards major urban centers such as Tel Aviv and Beersheba, southern Israel continues to face sporadic assaults from terrorist groups in Gaza.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

A Multi-Front Conflict

As the Israeli military continues to operate against Hamas in Gaza and defend northern Israel against Hezbollah attacks, violence led by Palestinian terrorist groups persists in the West Bank.

On August 6, the Israeli Air Force carried out two separate airstrikes in the West Bank city of Jenin, killing four terrorists who posed a threat to troops conducting a counter-terrorism operation in the area. Additionally, the Israeli military and Border Police forces killed seven terrorists and wounded others who attempted to throw explosive devices at troops. One IDF soldier was wounded in the operation and was evacuated to a hospital.

Related Analysis

“Israel Orders Evacuation of Gaza City as Ceasefire Talks Persist,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Commander Eliminated in Israeli Strike Near West Bank City of Tulkarem,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Calls on Civilians to Evacuate Rafah,” FDD Flash Brief