Overview

• The Israeli military said it will strike Gaza City with "a force without precedent" and urged remaining residents to leave as its ground-and-air operation intensifies.
• Displacement has surged since late August, with the Israeli army estimating about 480,000 people fleeing and Gaza Civil Defence reporting roughly 450,000, while the coastal al-Rashid road was announced as the only open route south.
• Gaza hospitals reported at least 22 people killed across the territory on Friday, including 11 in Gaza City, as bombardments and street fighting continued.
• The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Thursday that called for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access, with 14 members voting in favor.
• International criticism mounted, including remarks from the UN secretary general and European capitals, and an independent UN‑mandated commission this week accused Israel of genocide, a claim Israel denies.