Fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive, thousands of Palestinians have left their homes in eastern areas of Gaza City, now under constant Israeli bombardment, for points to the west and south of the shattered territory.

UN warns of man-made famine in Gaza as starvation deaths rise, Israel steps up plan to ethnically cleanse northern Gaza.

Many Israelis feel that freeing the hostages cannot happen if the government refuses to come to terms with Hamas and pursues its policy of trying to eliminate the group militarily.

Frustration is growing in Israel over plans for a new military offensive in some of Gaza's most populated areas.

Hamas said that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of genocide and displacement" for hundreds of thousands.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Sunday said that before launching the offensive, the civilian population will be evacuated to what he described as "safe zones" from Gaza City, which he called Hamas' last stronghold.

Israel announced Saturday that it is preparing to move Palestinians from combat zones to southern Gaza as plans move ahead for a military offensive in some of the territory's most populated areas.

The State Department said it was halting all visas for Palestinians from Gaza, including medical visas for children.

The move comes after far-right activist Laura Loomer drew attention to a video posted by the nonprofit HEAL Palestine and called the visas a “national security threat.”