The Israeli government has ordered Gaza City residents to evacuate immediately ahead of intensified airstrikes and a planned ground operation, while the United Nations human rights chief accused Israel of committing "war crime upon war crime" through alleged mass civilian killings and aid blockades in the enclave.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued the stark warning on September 8, 2025, stating that Israeli forces are assembling for a major "maneuver" into Gaza City, which he described as a Hamas stronghold.

"I say to the residents of Gaza: You have been warned—leave now" - Netanyahu

Speaking in a video address, the PM added that over 50 buildings had already been targeted in recent days as a prelude to broader action.

The Israeli military released maps designating evacuation routes to al-Mawasi in southern Gaza, labeled a "humanitarian area," though that zone has faced repeated strikes itself, displacing over 800,000 people into overcrowded camps.

The order came amid ongoing bombardments that Gaza's Civil Defence reported leveled more than 50 buildings and damaged 100 others since Sunday, including residential towers near displaced families' tents.

Hospitals documented at least 52 Palestinian deaths on Monday alone, with 32 in Gaza City, including journalist Osama Balousha, bringing the total journalist fatalities in the conflict to nearly 250—all Palestinians, as Israel restricts foreign media access.

Six more deaths from starvation and malnutrition were reported, amid Israel's restrictions on aid, exacerbating a famine affecting over 500,000 people according to global monitors. The Israeli military reported four soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in northern Gaza, raising its total losses to 904 since the war began.

In Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk opened the 60th Human Rights Council session by denouncing Israel's actions as "shocking the conscience of the world," citing mass killings, widespread destruction, journalist deaths, and aid obstruction leading to starvation.

Turk highlighted "genocidal rhetoric" from Israeli officials and urged states to halt arms transfers that risk war crimes, referencing the International Court of Justice's January order for Israel to prevent genocidal acts. Israel's UN ambassador in Geneva, Daniel Meron, rejected the remarks as "libellous rhetoric," defending self-defense measures against Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack that killed 1,200 and took 251 hostages.

Hamas stated readiness to "immediately sit at the negotiating table" after receiving a US proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release, but dismissed it as a "trap" granting Israel veto power over withdrawals.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump had issued a "last warning" to Hamas, claiming Israel accepted his terms for all 48 hostages' release on day one in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners and negotiations for war's end under his oversight.

Qatar's prime minister urged Hamas to respond positively during Doha talks, but sources indicated reluctance over immediate full releases.

The war, sparked by Hamas's 2023 assault, has killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians per Gaza's health ministry and displaced most of the 2.3 million population.

As Gaza City's assault looms, these developments highlight deepening divides, with international calls for restraint clashing against Israel's security rationale and Hamas's resistance. The coming days could reshape the conflict's trajectory, testing diplomatic efforts amid mounting human costs.