Israel warns Palestinians not to return to northern Gaza

RAFAH, GAZA - NOVEMBER 24: A view of a leaflet dropped by Israeli forces to warn Palestinians against moving to north of Gaza during humanitarian pause in Rafah, Gaza on November 24, 2023. 'To the residents of the Gaza Strip, the war didn't end yet, the humanitarian pause is temporary, and the northern region of Gaza is a war zone,' the leaflet said. (Photo by Abed Zagout/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Israel's military has warned displaced Palestinians, now seeking refuge in southern Gaza, not to return to their homes in the northern half of the territory during the temporary cease-fire.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) dropped Arabic-language leaflets on Friday over southern Gaza, saying that “the war has not ended yet” and people should remain in place.

"The war is not over yet. The humanitarian pause is temporary. The northern Gaza Strip is a dangerous war zone and it is forbidden to move north. For your safety, you must remain in the humanitarian zone in the south," it said.

“Returning to the north is prohibited and very dangerous,” the leaflets added. “Your fate and the fate of your families is in your hands. We have warned you.”

Despite the warnings, some Palestinians were seen walking north along Gaza’s main highway.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee posted on X in Arabic that sharply discouraging Palestinians along the highway, saying movement would only be permitted in one direction: from north to south.

Since the Hamas-led terror attack on Oct. 7 triggered the war, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza have left their homes in the north. The Israeli army repeatedly warns these residents to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere in their pursuit of Hamas terrorists.