On October 1, 2025, Israel issued a final warning for Gaza City residents to evacuate south, tightening its encirclement while Hamas considered President Trump’s peace plan to end the nearly two-year war. Defense Minister Katz declared those remaining would be considered terrorists. The Israeli military seized the Netzarim corridor, cutting Gaza in two. Relentless explosions were reported. While some Gazans refuse to leave, citing danger everywhere, others desperately want a ceasefire. Trump’s plan calls for a ceasefire, hostage release, Hamas disarmament, and Israeli withdrawal. Hamas seeks amendments and guarantees. Both sides report casualties from recent strikes.

Highlights

Here are the key highlights from the article in bullet points:

• Israel issued a final warning for civilians to evacuate Gaza City. Those remaining will be considered “terrorists and terrorist supporters” according to Defence Minister Israel Katz.
• The Israeli military has tightened its encirclement of Gaza City and seized the Netzarim corridor, cutting off the north from the south.
• Bombardment in Gaza City is heavy, with residents reporting relentless explosions.
• Hamas is considering a U.S. peace plan proposed by Donald Trump, calling for a ceasefire, hostage release, Hamas disarmament, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal.
• Hamas has reservations about the disarmament clause and expulsion from Gaza. They want international guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal and ceasefire.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders have suspended activities in Gaza City due to intensified military operations.
• Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least 46 people in Gaza on Wednesday, including 36 in Gaza City. A strike on a school-turned-shelter killed eight, according to the Gaza civil defence agency.
• There are conflicting opinions within Hamas regarding the acceptance of the Trump peace plan. One side supports unconditional approval, while the other has reservations about key clauses like disarmament.
• The conflict has resulted in significant casualties: Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack killed 1,219 Israelis, and Israel’s offensive has killed at least 66,148 Palestinians.

Gaza City Under Siege: A Final Warning and Glimmers of a Distant Peace?

October 1, 2025. A date etched in the hearts of Gazans. A day where the specter of intensified conflict loomed large as Israel issued a final, desperate warning for civilians to evacuate Gaza City. This ultimatum arrived amidst the backdrop of relentless bombardment and as Hamas grappled with a U.S.-backed peace plan, a fragile hope flickering against the harsh reality of a war-torn territory.

A City Encircled: The Noose Tightens

“This is the last opportunity…” the stark words of Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz resonated across the digital landscape via X. His message was clear, chillingly so: those remaining in Gaza City would be considered “terrorists and terrorist supporters.” This declaration, coupled with reports of the Israeli army tightening its encirclement, painted a grim picture of a city on the brink.

The Netzarim Corridor: A Divide Etched in Sand

The seizure of the Netzarim corridor, a strategic artery linking central Gaza to the coast, effectively severed the north from the south. This move, while presented as a military tactic, carried profound humanitarian implications.

• Isolation: Northern Gaza was now physically cut off, hindering the movement of people, aid, and essential supplies.
• Checkpoints: Anyone attempting to flee Gaza City southward faced the gauntlet of Israeli military checkpoints, adding another layer of fear and uncertainty to an already desperate situation.

Voices from the Abyss: The Human Cost

Amidst the political maneuvering and military strategies, the voices of ordinary Gazans, caught in the crossfire, cried out.

Al-Shifa Hospital: A Tent City of Despair

Rabah al-Halabi, a 60-year-old sheltering in a tent on the grounds of Al-Shifa Hospital, painted a vivid picture of unrelenting explosions. He articulated a sentiment echoing throughout Gaza: “I will not leave because the situation in Gaza City is no different from the situation in the southern Gaza Strip. All areas are dangerous, the bombing is everywhere, and displacement is terrifying and humiliating. We are waiting for death, or perhaps relief from God and for the truce to come.”

His words are a potent reminder that behind the headlines are individuals, families, clinging to hope amidst unimaginable suffering.

Ceasefire at Any Cost?

Fadel al-Jadba, 26, resolute in his decision to stay, voiced the collective yearning for peace: “We want a ceasefire at any cost because we are frustrated, exhausted, and find no one in the world standing with us.”

This poignant plea underscores the desperation felt by a population teetering on the edge.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens: Aid Organizations Retreat

The escalating conflict has forced humanitarian organizations, the lifelines of Gaza, to pull back. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) suspended activities in Gaza City, followed by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). These withdrawals leave a void, further jeopardizing the lives of civilians.

Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story, But They Do Paint a Picture

According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, Israeli strikes on Wednesday alone killed at least 46 people, 36 of whom were in Gaza City. These numbers, while difficult to independently verify due to media restrictions, underscore the ferocity of the conflict.

• School Strike: A strike on a school-turned-shelter reportedly killed eight people, a tragedy that highlights the devastating impact on vulnerable populations.

The Israeli military stated that they had “struck a Hamas terrorist” at the school, adding that they had taken steps to “mitigate harm to civilians as much as possible.”

The statistics reveal a heart-wrenching reality:

• 66,148 Palestinians Killed: At least 66,148 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Health Ministry figures in the Hamas-run territory that the United Nations considers reliable.
• Women and Children: More than half of those killed are women and children.
• Attacks by Hamas: Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures.

Trump’s Peace Plan: A Ray of Hope or a Mirage?

Amidst the chaos, a potential pathway to peace emerged in the form of a U.S.-backed peace plan spearheaded by former President Donald Trump and supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The plan outlined:

• Ceasefire: An immediate cessation of hostilities.
• Hostage Release: The release of all hostages within 72 hours.
• Hamas Disarmament: The disarmament of Hamas.
• Israeli Withdrawal: A gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Hamas’s Dilemma: To Accept or Reject?

A Palestinian source close to Hamas leaders revealed that the movement was carefully considering the proposal, with “no final decision” made. The source suggested that Hamas may need “two to three days” to reach a consensus.

Key sticking points for Hamas included:

• Disarmament: The movement was hesitant to accept the disarmament clause.
• Expulsion: Hamas rejected any notion of expulsion from Gaza.
• Guarantees: They demanded international guarantees for a full Israeli withdrawal and assurances that Israel would not violate any ceasefire agreement.

Divided Opinions Within Hamas:

Sources familiar with the Doha talks revealed a division within Hamas ranks:

• Unconditional Approval: One faction supported immediate acceptance, prioritizing a ceasefire under Trump’s guarantees, with mediators ensuring Israeli compliance.
• Conditional Approval: The other faction harbored serious reservations, rejecting disarmament and expulsion, favoring conditional approval with clarifications reflecting Hamas’s demands.

Former President Donald Trump issued a stern warning, giving Hamas “about three or four days” to accept the plan, threatening they would “pay in hell” if they refused.

What is the real cost?

We must remember that behind every number, every statistic, is a human being with hopes, dreams, and loved ones. The conflict in Gaza is not just a political or military struggle, it is a human tragedy unfolding before our eyes.

A Call to Action:

The situation in Gaza demands urgent attention and action. Here’s how you can help:

• Donate to Humanitarian Organizations: Support organizations like the ICRC, Doctors Without Borders, and UNRWA, who are on the ground providing critical aid.
• Advocate for Peace: Contact your elected officials and urge them to support a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
• Raise Awareness: Share information about the situation in Gaza with your friends, family, and social media networks.

The time for silence is over. Let us stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and work towards a future of peace and justice.

This is not just their fight, but a fight for humanity.