Tensions Escalate as Israel Orders Evacuations in North Gaza; Trump Pushes for Peace Deal

In a major shift in the ongoing Gaza conflict, Israel ordered the evacuation of tens of thousands of its residents in northern Gaza, citing an upcoming military operation against its remaining “Hamas strongholds.” The news broke as former U.S. President Donald Trump made a high-profile appeal, claiming he would end the conflict and broker a “quick and beautiful” peace deal.

On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) distributed leaflets, sent text messages, as well as posted messages on social media, encouraging residents in areas such as Beit Hanoun, Jabalia and other surrounding towns in northern Gaza to evacuate “for their safety.” IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that encouraging residents to evacuate was part of a new wave of operations that will include the targeting of underground tunnels and command centers that are allegedly still used by Hamas.

The evacuation decision has thrown war-weary Gazans into panic, many having already had to move many times since the conflict restarted in October 2023, where already needy families are trying to find shelter further south while humanitarian agencies warn about “catastrophic overcrowding” in temporary camps and the potential for disease outbreaks.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) condemned the new displacement orders, calling the crisis in Gaza “unmanageable.” According to UN data, more than 1.5 million people, more than 75% of Gaza’s population, have been displaced.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and various NGOs shared similar findings and reported the urgent lack of medical supplies, safe drinking water, and electricity. Hospitals in Khan Younis and Rafah were overloaded (caring for injuries from airstrikes and sickness from filthy living conditions).

With a worsening humanitarian price tag, Donald Trump has suddenly returned to the Middle East center stage. Speaking from his Florida home, Trump said he is in communication with regional players and “very willing” to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The Biden administration, for its part, welcomed “any efforts to end the suffering” but also emphasized that any peace negotiations should conform to international law and have a multilateral component.

Privately, some White House sources have expressed skepticism about Trump’s involvement, viewing it as a political ploy to gain momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms.

International pressure is piling on Israel to reduce its military efforts, with Turkey, Jordan, and France calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza. Protests have erupted in cities across Europe and the Middle East, calling for an end to the violence.

At present, the people of Gaza are caught in the crossfire, under the relentless bombardment of the Israeli army, facing displacement with every second. The situation is barely tenable. Whether Trump’s self-certified ‘peacemaking’ mission will come to fruition remains to be seen, but if tensions peak, then any earnest brokerage could be a lynchpin moment.

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