1 of 5 | Displaced Gazans carry pots and pans for hot meals at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza City amid an ongoing Israeli blockade and attacks against Hamas on Thursday. Photo by Hassan Al-Jadi/UPI | License Photo
Sept. 18 (UPI) -- An unknown number of Gazans have left Gaza City as Israel Defense Forces continue a recently begun offensive against Hamas in the northern city.
Satellite images show several encampments that formerly housed Gazans in tents mostly emptied in recent weeks after the IDF warned the civilian population to evacuate the area, NBC News reported.
IDF armored vehicles and troops have begun entering the city during the past week and are aided by aerial assaults.
Local phone lines and Internet services have been disrupted in Gaza City, which the IDF had identified as a Hamas stronghold and says it is holding many of an estimated 50 hostages, several of whom Israeli intelligence says likely are dead.
