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Israel’s Netanyahu Warns Gaza City Residents to Leave Now

A Palestinian woman reacts as smoke rises, while a residential building collapses after an Israeli air strike, in Gaza City, September 7, 2025. (Reuters)
A Palestinian woman reacts as smoke rises, while a residential building collapses after an Israeli air strike, in Gaza City, September 7, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israel’s Netanyahu Warns Gaza City Residents to Leave Now

A Palestinian woman reacts as smoke rises, while a residential building collapses after an Israeli air strike, in Gaza City, September 7, 2025. (Reuters)
A Palestinian woman reacts as smoke rises, while a residential building collapses after an Israeli air strike, in Gaza City, September 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday residents of Gaza City to leave now, hours after Israel said it would ramp up airstrikes on the enclave. 

He said: "I say to the residents of Gaza, I take this opportunity and listen to me carefully: you have been warned — leave now!” 

Netanyahu said forces are now organizing and assembling into Gaza City for a ground "maneuver". 

Earlier on Monday, Israel's defense minister told Hamas to lay down its arms or face annihilation, after US President Donald Trump said the group must accept a deal to release hostages in Gaza.  

The warnings came as the Israeli military intensified its bombings and operations around Gaza City, which it has vowed to capture in a bid to finally defeat Hamas after nearly two years of devastating conflict.  

At least 48 people were killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza on Sunday, while another 10 were killed in strikes around Gaza City overnight, the civil defense agency reported. AFP has contacted the Israeli military for comment. 

Hamas, whose unprecedented October 2023 attack on Israel sparked the war, said shortly after Trump's comments that it was ready for immediate talks, but the terms it gave for a deal appeared largely unchanged from previous rounds of negotiations. 

"This is a final warning to the Hamas murderers and rapists in Gaza and in luxury hotels abroad: Release the hostages and put down your weapons -- or Gaza will be destroyed and you will be annihilated," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X.  

"Today, a massive hurricane will hit the skies of Gaza City and the roofs of the terror towers will tremble," he wrote, adding that the military was "preparing to expand" operations to conquer Gaza City.  

Israel has not publicly announced the start of its offensive to seize the city, but on Sunday it bombed a third high-rise in as many days, saying it was being used by Hamas "to monitor the location of... troops in the area".  

Hamas has denied using residential buildings for military purposes.  

Trump said Sunday he was issuing a "last warning" to the group, insisting it accept a deal to release the hostages seized during fighters' October 2023 attack. The Israeli military says 47 hostages remain in Gaza, including 25 believed to be dead.  

"The Israelis have accepted my terms. It is time for Hamas to accept as well. I have warned Hamas about the consequences of not accepting. This is my last warning," Trump said on social media, without elaborating further.  

- Ready to negotiate -  

In a statement released shortly after Trump's, Hamas said it was ready to "immediately sit at the negotiating table" following what it described as "some ideas from the American side aimed at reaching a ceasefire agreement".  

In exchange, it said it wanted "a clear declaration of the end of the war, a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and the formation of a committee of independent Palestinians to manage the Gaza Strip, which would begin its duties immediately".  

US news outlet Axios reported that White House envoy Steve Witkoff sent a new proposal for a Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal to Hamas last week.  

The White House has not released any details about the proposal, but late Sunday Trump said "you'll be hearing about it pretty soon", portraying the negotiations in a positive light.  

"I think we're going to have a deal on Gaza very soon," he told reporters.  

In early March, Trump issued a similar ultimatum to Hamas, demanding it free all living hostages immediately and turn over the bodies of the dead, saying if not, "it is OVER for you".  

Hamas agreed last month to a ceasefire proposal that involved a 60-day truce and staggered hostage releases. 

Israel, however, has demanded the group release all the hostages at once, disarm and relinquish control of Gaza, among other conditions.  

Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.  

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 64,368 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the United Nations considers reliable.  

Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defense agency or the Israeli military. 

 

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Arab World

Al-Sharaa Backs Iraq's Efforts to Bring Weapons Under State Control, Build Strong Army

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Damascus on Wednesday (Government media)
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Al-Sharaa Backs Iraq's Efforts to Bring Weapons Under State Control, Build Strong Army

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa receives Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi in Damascus on Wednesday (Government media)

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed support for the Iraqi prime minister's efforts to bring weapons under state control, saying the two countries have a historic opportunity to build strong states capable of protecting their interests and achieving development and prosperity.

Al-Sharaa made the remarks in an interview with Iraq's Dijlah TV, broadcast Tuesday evening, marking his first media appearance before an Iraqi audience since assuming the presidency in January 2025.

Observers noted that the interview was conducted by Dijlah TV, which is rumored to be owned by the Iraqi prime minister or one of his brothers, rather than the country's official television network.

Al-Sharaa stressed that the destinies of Iraq and Syria are interconnected historically, in the present and in the future. He called for bilateral relations to be governed by established principles that take into account social ties and shared interests, rather than shifting political attitudes.

He described Syria as a strategic gateway for Iraq to the Mediterranean Sea and a corridor connecting it to the West and extending toward the Arabian Gulf.

Despite objections from Iran-aligned political forces and armed factions in Iraq to rapprochement with Syria following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in 2024, al-Sharaa praised the Iraqi government's position, describing it as positive.

He said the previous Iraqi government, headed by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, had adopted the right approach and that subsequent developments had helped correct the course advocated by certain political forces.

Bringing Weapons Under State Control

Al-Sharaa expressed support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's efforts to combat corruption and ensure that weapons remain exclusively under state control.

He described al-Zaidi as "serious" about pursuing these objectives and affirmed Syria's support for his efforts.

"Building a unified and strong army is a source of strength and protection for everyone," al-Sharaa said.

Addressing shared security concerns, al-Sharaa said the Iraqi government had understood Syria's messages from the outset, despite attempts to undermine its position.

He emphasized the high level of security coordination between the two countries, noting that their shared border was stable and secure, with continued communication to address any concerns or observations.

Regarding ISIS and other extremist groups, al-Sharaa said threats had gradually diminished compared with previous periods, although this did not mean the two countries could consider themselves entirely safe.

Economic Ties

On economic cooperation, al-Sharaa said Syria and Iraq had made considerable progress in recent months.

"The natural course for two neighboring countries such as Syria and Iraq is to build shared interests that will be difficult to unravel in the future, encompassing security, social and economic matters, so that these interests take precedence over shifting political attitudes or political changes," he said.

Regarding the oil pipeline project, al-Sharaa said several companies had visited Syria over the past year, bringing investment proposals worth hundreds of millions of dollars and exploring opportunities that could benefit both countries.

He stressed the need to rebuild oil pipelines to Baniyas, citing their importance to Iraq and the potential benefits they could bring to Syria.

In recent months, Iraqi authorities have continued efforts to diversify the country's oil export routes, particularly through Syrian territory and the port of Baniyas.

Iraq had previously relied heavily on Gulf waters and the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure inflicted severe damage on the Iraqi economy and oil sector.

Social Relations

Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria's strong willingness to deepen social ties with Iraq and facilitate travel and the movement of people between the two countries.

He stressed that Syrian-Iraqi relations are not based on sectarian or ethnic considerations but on shared history, economic interests and the deep ties between their peoples.

Entry into Iraq

The interview also addressed al-Sharaa's entry into Iraq approximately one week to 10 days before the arrival of US forces in 2003.

He said he had traveled there on his own initiative, motivated by what he described as a sense of responsibility toward the Iraqi people.

Al-Sharaa explained that he was imprisoned in Iraq in 2005 and remained in detention until 2011, when he returned to Syria at the beginning of the Syrian uprising.

He maintained that he had not participated in the fighting that took place in Iraq during those years.

 

Arab World

Lebanese Remain on Alert for Another War

Children play in front of tents at a temporary displacement shelter at the Sports City complex in Beirut (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Children play in front of tents at a temporary displacement shelter at the Sports City complex in Beirut (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Lebanese Remain on Alert for Another War

Children play in front of tents at a temporary displacement shelter at the Sports City complex in Beirut (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Children play in front of tents at a temporary displacement shelter at the Sports City complex in Beirut (Asharq Al-Awsat)

"Fear is no longer a passing feeling. It has become part of everyday life, as repeated wars have created a constant state of apprehension and readiness for any sudden escalation."

With these words, Maryam Merhi sums up the reality facing many Lebanese, particularly those in the south, amid reports of a possible return to war.

"Every escalation takes us back into the same cycle of anxiety and uncertainty," she told Asharq Al-Awsat, explaining that her emergency bag remains packed and that one question constantly weighs on her mind: "If something happens, what will we do? Where will we go?"

She said the hardest part of life in Lebanon today is losing the sense of safety within one's own home.

"All I wish for is to return to a normal life, to plan for tomorrow instead of planning an escape, and to feel that our homes are safe places rather than somewhere we fear being forced to leave at any moment. All we hope for is simply a normal life."

Merhi is among thousands of Lebanese for whom any security alert or potential threat triggers what has become known as "Plan B": preparing to flee.

Such preparations are no longer confined to areas that have experienced military escalation. They have spread across much of Lebanon, where people increasingly treat any security development as an early warning.

Emergency bags, evacuation plans and the search for safer places have become part of everyday life as residents brace for another possible escalation.

From Breaking News to Escape Plans

Marwa Jaber said even reports suggesting that hostilities might resume are enough to revive the fear Lebanese experienced during the war, with anxiety often taking hold before the information can be verified.

She recalled how, whenever such news circulates, people immediately begin asking: "Will the war start again?"

Some employees even leave work in anticipation of the worst, only to discover later that the reports were inaccurate.

"I realized that we were thinking about only one thing: how to prepare for war again. We are still living with the effects of war, even when we are far from the fighting," she said.

Farah Samaha described a similar experience, explaining that any security development, even beyond Lebanon's borders, immediately brings back memories of displacement.

"Our thoughts immediately turn to how to protect our families, where we will flee and what we need to prepare," she said.

Samaha believes Lebanese have grown accustomed to keeping a contingency plan for war while people elsewhere make plans for their futures.

"Living with fear has become part of everyday life," she said.

War Does Not End With a Ceasefire

The consequences of war extend beyond destruction and loss of life, shaping how people think and navigate their daily routines.

The experiences described by these women reflect what psychotherapist Dr. Rima Haddad identifies as a lasting psychological consequence of repeated wars in Lebanon.

She said successive conflicts have not only left deep scars on people's memories but have also created a persistent state of psychological hypervigilance, leaving many Lebanese living as though they are waiting for the next war.

"Repeated wars in Lebanon have left profound psychological effects on the population," Haddad told Asharq Al-Awsat.

"Many Lebanese remain in a constant state of alert, even during periods of calm, because of accumulated trauma and the persistent fear that hostilities will resume."

Constant Psychological Hypervigilance

Haddad explained that communities exposed to repeated wars can develop a persistent state of psychological hypervigilance.

"The brain operates as though it is constantly on alert, monitoring every new sound or event and continuously checking whether danger is approaching," she said.

"This affects people's ability to concentrate, work and plan for the future. Many lose their sense of hope even after the fighting stops, while fear, tension and anxiety remain part of their daily lives."

She warned that prolonged exposure to these conditions can lead to chronic stress.

"Successive wars have pushed a large segment of the Lebanese population into a state of chronic anxiety. They remain constantly watchful for new developments, tense, easily irritated and deprived of a sense of stability," she said.

Haddad emphasized that the effects extend well beyond emotional distress.

"This condition affects productivity, the ability to work, decision-making and long-term planning. It also has negative consequences for physical and mental health, as well as social relationships."

Persistent Threats and Chronic Anxiety

According to Haddad, the enduring sense of insecurity stems from two interconnected factors.

The first is "the constant threat under which Lebanese people live," while the second is "the chronic anxiety generated by repeated trauma."

She warned that prolonged exposure to these conditions "weakens people's ability to develop plans for the future and make decisions because they become more preoccupied with anticipating danger than building their lives."

To help mitigate these psychological effects, Haddad recommended limiting continuous exposure to news as much as possible, avoiding sources of negativity, engaging in regular physical activity and setting small, achievable short-term goals to gradually restore a sense of control and stability.

She also stressed the importance of expressing emotions rather than suppressing them.

"Speaking with a mental health professional or trusted family members and friends can help ease fear and anxiety and prevent them from building up," she said.

Arab World

Houthis Step Up Pressure on Front Lines by Shelling Residential Areas

Residents walk amid debris from their homes after a missile strike in Seina, Taiz, Yemen, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Marzouq Al Jabri)
Residents walk amid debris from their homes after a missile strike in Seina, Taiz, Yemen, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Marzouq Al Jabri)
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Houthis Step Up Pressure on Front Lines by Shelling Residential Areas

Residents walk amid debris from their homes after a missile strike in Seina, Taiz, Yemen, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Marzouq Al Jabri)
Residents walk amid debris from their homes after a missile strike in Seina, Taiz, Yemen, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Marzouq Al Jabri)

The humanitarian consequences of the Houthi escalation in Yemen have intensified as the group steps up attacks on residential areas in rural Lahj Governorate and around the city of Taiz, according to government sources. Growing numbers of families are fleeing the fighting, while relief organizations struggle to meet mounting needs in a country already facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis had intensified near-daily missile and drone attacks on villages in Lahj's Al-Mudarabah district after failing to make advances on the battlefield.

The attacks have forced hundreds of families to flee, adding to waves of displacement from the western coast and the outskirts of Lahj.

The sources said they believed the attacks were intended to pressure local tribesmen into withdrawing their support for government forces.

Around Taiz, the sources reported that the Houthis had targeted villages on Mount Sabr with drones and mortar shells in an attempt to weaken resistance from government troops and local volunteers, who have repelled repeated attempts by the group to breach the front lines in recent days.

The developments come as Taiz has been under siege for 20 days, according to the sources. The fighting has made it increasingly difficult for civilians to access essential services and supplies, placing additional strain on local authorities and humanitarian organizations.

Humanitarian Warnings

Amid the humanitarian consequences of the Houthi attacks, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned that the latest escalation had deepened Yemen's prolonged humanitarian crisis.

The IFRC said 22.3 million people across Yemen require humanitarian assistance, including approximately 5.2 million who had already been internally displaced before the latest escalation.

In a recent report, the federation said fighting and insecurity had disrupted access to healthcare, education, markets and essential supplies.

Displaced families are arriving in host communities with few belongings and urgently need shelter, household essentials, food, clean water and healthcare.

The report noted that host communities are also facing severe pressure on services and resources, while repeated displacement is eroding livelihoods, increasing protection risks and raising the likelihood that more families will be forced to leave their homes.

The IFRC stressed the importance of maintaining humanitarian access and ensuring a flexible response that can adapt to changing needs on the ground, particularly in areas where insecurity restricts the movement of people and supplies.

According to the report, displaced households face overlapping barriers to obtaining shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, education and healthcare.

Insecurity and road closures have disrupted markets, supply routes and aid deliveries, while lost income, depleted assets and rising prices have further reduced families' ability to purchase basic necessities.

The federation warned that isolated communities face even greater restrictions, as maintaining commercial supplies and essential services becomes increasingly difficult.

Food insecurity is further exacerbating the vulnerability of households already struggling with inadequate access to food.

Highlighting the scale of the crisis, the report said approximately 2.2 million children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition across Yemen.

It warned that continued sieges and interruptions to humanitarian assistance could further worsen conditions, particularly for young children and pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The report added that repeated displacement is exhausting families' ability to cope with successive crises.

A rapid assessment conducted at three displacement sites found that approximately 45% of the households surveyed had previously experienced displacement.

The IFRC emphasized that this figure reflected only the households assessed at those three sites and should not be generalized to Yemen's entire displaced population.

Additional Risks

The IFRC also warned that the loss of property and unstable livelihoods are undermining families' resilience and increasing the risk that they will resort to harmful coping strategies, including child labor.

The federation noted that the humanitarian toll extends beyond shortages of food and shelter to additional challenges facing female-headed households, children separated from their families, older people, persons with disabilities and patients requiring regular medical treatment.

Women and girls face heightened protection risks in areas lacking adequate shelter and sanitation facilities.

Meanwhile, people with limited mobility or financial resources may be unable to leave isolated areas or reach essential services.

The warnings highlight the widening gap between humanitarian needs and the capacity to meet them as fighting continues, families are repeatedly displaced, and roads and supply routes remain disrupted.

Together, these pressures are leaving vulnerable households increasingly exposed to hardship and placing additional burdens on communities receiving displaced families.