Intensified Military Action in Northern Gaza: Evacuation Orders Amidst Calls for Ceasefire

In a move to escalate military operations, Israel has ordered the evacuation of Palestinian residents from various neighborhoods in northern Gaza, urging them to relocate towards the southwestern coastal area of al-Mawasi. The Israeli military operations, set to intensify and expand westward, come amidst renewed efforts by US President Donald Trump to secure a ceasefire deal.

In the 24-hour period leading up to midday on Sunday, at least 86 deaths were reported as a result of Israeli attacks, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Three children were among the casualties in a strike on the "safe zone" of al-Mawasi, with their parents confirming the tragic loss.

Trump, who has been vocal about his desire to bring an end to the conflict, reiterated his calls to "make the deal in Gaza" and "get the hostages back" on Sunday. The President's comments followed his statement on Saturday, in which he expressed that Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was currently negotiating a deal with Hamas "right now."

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Avichay Adraee announced that the Israeli military was operating in north Gaza to "eliminate terrorists and terrorist infrastructure." Medics and residents told Reuters that military bombardments increased in Gaza during the early hours of Sunday, resulting in the destruction of several homes.

According to Gaza's Hamas-run civil defense agency, at least 23 people were killed on Sunday alone, with five more deaths reported in an Israeli air strike on a tent housing displaced people in al-Mawasi near the southern city of Khan Younis. The area, to which residents were told to evacuate, saw the tragic loss of five members of the Maarouf family, including three children.

The BBC has reached out to the Israeli military for comment on the escalating conflict. The increased military action comes as mediators work tirelessly to end the war and release the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Qatari mediators have expressed hope that US pressure could help to achieve a deal, following a truce between Israel and Iran that ended the 12-day conflict between the nations.

Trump previously expressed optimism about a ceasefire in Gaza being agreed upon within the next week. The previous ceasefire, which began on 19 January, failed to progress beyond the first stage, with plans for establishing a permanent ceasefire, the return of remaining hostages, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza left unfulfilled.

Corruption charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been a point of contention, with Trump calling for ongoing charges to be dropped, describing the proceedings as a "political witch hunt" delaying ceasefire negotiations. On Sunday, an Israeli court accepted a request by Netanyahu to delay his scheduled testimony for a week, citing diplomatic and security concerns.

Since the initial attack on Gaza in October 2023, approximately 1,200 people have been killed, and 251 others taken hostage. The conflict has claimed at least 81 lives in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.