Tel aviv: The Israeli army announced on Thursday that it has initiated 'initial warning calls' to medical institutions and international organizations in northern Gaza, preparing for the evacuation of Palestinians from Gaza City to the territory's south. This move is part of a broader plan to reoccupy the city.

According to Anadolu Agency, the military disclosed that these warning calls were made two days prior to the announcement. Medical officials and international organizations in northern Gaza were contacted to prepare for the population's evacuation. The military also released an audio recording of a conversation between an Israeli officer and an unnamed Palestinian health official. In the audio, the officer is heard instructing the health official to prepare a plan for transferring medical equipment from northern Gaza to the south to ensure medical treatment for all patients relocating to southern Gaza. Hospitals in the south are to be prepared to receive patients from the north.

The plan, codenamed 'Gideon's Chariots 2,' received approval from Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday. It was slated for discussion in a security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday. The plan involves displacing Palestinians from Gaza City, imposing a siege, and conducting both ground and air assaults, as stated by an army spokesperson. Additionally, the army began issuing call-up orders to 60,000 reservists in anticipation of implementing this plan, as reported by Israel's public broadcaster.

The Israeli army's operations in the Gaza Strip since October 2023 have resulted in the deaths of nearly 62,200 people and injuries to more than 156,700 others, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Furthermore, last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.