‘Last opportunity’ to leave: Katz says IOF close to encircling Gaza City

'Israeli' forces are close to completing the encirclement of Gaza City, 'Israel’s' Defense Minister Israel Katz announced, warning that civilians have a “last opportunity” to leave the area before a new phase of the assault begins.

Katz said that 'Israeli' troops have seized full control of the Netzarim axis, a key strategic corridor running from central Gaza to the Mediterranean Sea. The move effectively cuts Gaza City off from the rest of the enclave and “tightens the siege” on the densely populated urban center, he added.

“The Israel Defense Forces are completing the capture of the Netzarim axis to the sea and closing the encirclement of Gaza City,” Katz said. “This is the last opportunity for residents to evacuate before we intensify our operations.”

The latest developments come as 'Israel' presses ahead with its months-long offensive in the besieged territory, where weeks of heavy bombardment and ground operations have devastated civilian infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Gaza City, the largest urban center in the enclave, has been a primary target of 'Israel’s' campaign, which Tel Aviv claims is aimed at destroying Hamas.

Palestinian officials and humanitarian organizations, however, have accused 'Israel' of carrying out collective punishment and war crimes, with civilians bearing the brunt of the assault.