(Bloomberg) — Israel ordered Gaza City’s one million residents to leave in advance of a major military offensive, with top officials vowing devastation unless Iran-backed Hamas surrenders.

Global outrage has grown since Israel announced last month that it would take over the city, home to half the enclave’s population, with longtime European allies threatening to cut trade ties and planning to back Palestinian statehood at the United Nations in two weeks. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has ramped up plans in recent weeks, with the military sending forced evacuation orders to certain buildings or neighbourhoods but not the entire city.

“I am taking this opportunity to say to the residents of Gaza City, listen to me carefully: You have been warned; Get out of there!” Netany

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