JERUSALEM 

Israel on Sunday said that it had resumed water supply to the southern part of the Gaza Strip to encourage evacuation of the northern part of the enclave.

"The Israeli methods to encourage residents of northern Gaza and Gaza City to relocate to south include the restoration of water supply to the southern part of Gaza, Israeli announcements about an imminent ground entry, and the opening of specific traffic routes, with Israel promising to avoid attacks there," the Israeli Army Radio announced.

Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military reiterated its call for the residents of Gaza City and the northern part of the strip to move south.

"We urge all residents of Gaza City to evacuate their homes and head to south to protect themselves and stay in the area located south of Wadi Gaza, as indicated on the map," said the Israeli army in a statement on X on Friday.

These calls did not receive a significant response amid international criticism and calls for Israel to reconsider its decision.

Last weekend, in a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israeli forces launched a sustained military push against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers' growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering more than 1 million Gazans in the northern strip to evacuate to the southern region.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala