Israeli army says it will open Gaza corridor to allow Palestinians to flee south

The Israeli army on Monday said it will open a corridor for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to flee south amid a military offensive in the seaside territory.

Avichay Adraee, the army's Arabic-language spokesman, said civilians will be allowed to move across the Salahuddin Highway between 10:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m. local time.

"For your safety, take advantage of the time to move south beyond Wadi Gaza," the spokesman said.

The Israeli army has warned 1.1 million people living in the north of the Gaza Strip to evacuate and move south as its forces widened their operations in the northern part of the blockaded enclave.

The Israel has launched air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 9,770 Palestinians, including 4,800 children and 2,550 women, have been killed in the Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip. Israeli death toll is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.

Besides the large number of casualties and massive displacements, basic supplies are running low for Gaza's 2.3 million residents due to the Israeli siege.