GAZA CITY, Palestine

Thousands of Palestinians were forcibly ordered to leave their areas in Beit Hanoun town, the northern Gaza Strip, upon orders by the Israeli army on Wednesday.

The Israeli army earlier ordered the evacuation of Beit Hanoun and its surrounding areas in preparation for a military operation under the pretext of rocket fire from the area.

Anadolu correspondent quoted eyewitnesses who confirmed that thousands of Palestinians started fleeing the northern Gaza, and headed toward Jabalia and Gaza City.

The Palestinians are fleeing on foot while carrying their belongings as no transportation is available, they added.

Palestinians who flee their areas walk long distances, seeking shelter in their relatives' or friends' homes, while others find themselves homeless on the streets or in shelters if they find space in the already overcrowded shelters.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an attack last October by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Over 39,600 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 91,400 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar.