Thousands of Palestinians, including 21-year-old student Sara Awad, are fleeing Gaza City after the Israeli military launched a new ground invasion on Thursday (August 21). A lifelong resident of Gaza City, Ms Awad has begun packing her clothes and belongings as her family prepares to evacuate their home, for refuge in a tent in southern Gaza. “Yesterday I was crying, telling my mother, father, and siblings that I cannot be in a tent. My dreams are big and I can’t hold them, a tent cannot hold them,” Ms Awad said. The IDF has described the city as a “Hamas stronghold” in its justification for the offensive, which has received widespread condemnation, including from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, according to the enclave’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Fleeing Gaza City ahead of the IDF's impending ground invasion is a luxury many cannot afford, and some are injured or too weak from hunger to walk to 'safe zones.' One resident…

Thousands of Palestinians were on the move from parts of Gaza's largest city as an Israeli offensive ground into action after a night of airstrikes and shelling