The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued its most extensive evacuation order for Gaza City on September 9, signalling that a comprehensive military invasion may be imminent, Israeli media reported.

The scope and urgency of the directive mark a significant escalation from previous localised evacuation notices.

Israeli officials have spent weeks attempting to relocate Palestinian civilians from Gaza City, but only approximately 100,000 of the estimated 1mn residents have departed, according to The Jerusalem Post. This limited civilian compliance has complicated the military's invasion timeline.

The evacuation order comes amid heightened regional tensions, particularly following a deadly shooting attack at Jerusalem's Ramot intersection that killed five Israelis and wounded 12 others near the West Bank.

Israel's Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council, Jonathan Miller, reiterated on August 10 that Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza.

Miller outlined Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's five-point framework for ending the conflict, namely, Hamas disarmament, the return of all hostages, Gaza's complete demilitarisation, Israeli security oversight, and establishing a civilian administration independent of both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

The Israeli conditions have been met with hostility from Palestinians, who have outright rejected the plan, accusing Israel of genocide following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli territory. 

Some 64,368 Palestinians have been reported to have been killed by Israeli assaults on the enclave since 2023, with Israel claiming the majority of those deaths were militants.  

With negotiations between Israel and Hamas continuing to collapse regularly, the timing of both the anticipated Gaza City offensive and any potential resolution to the broader conflict remains uncertain.

The latest order from the IDF indicates that the assault is hours away from happening.

The operation has reached an advanced stage, though the operation's exact timeline could depend largely on civilian evacuation rates.

The Israel-Palestine war continues to inflict casualties on the Israeli side, with Israeli television reporting that a ninth soldier has committed suicide since July, as pressure continues to mount on young conscripts. 

IDF media also reported the death of Lieutenant Matan Abramovitz, 21, the fourth tank crew member who was killed yesterday morning in Jabalia, northern Gaza.