The Israeli military has warned it will deploy “unprecedented force” in Gaza City, urging hundreds of thousands of residents to flee southwards.

“From this moment, Salah al-Din Road is closed for southbound travel. The [army] will continue to operate with unprecedented force against Hamas and other terrorist organisations,” said Avichay Adraee, the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson, addressing Gaza City’s beleaguered population.

The only possible escape route south is via al-Rashid Street, he added, telling Palestinians to “take this opportunity and join the hundreds of thousands of city residents who have moved south to the humanitarian area“.