Israel’s latest military directives have turned the streets of Gaza into one-way routes. Movement northwards along Al-Rasheed Street, the main coastal artery, has been barred; civilians are being pushed further south. The defence minister has gone further still, declaring that anyone left in Gaza City will be treated as either a combatant or an accomplice to terrorism, a warning that leaves little room for ambiguity.

The escalation has forced even neutral actors to retreat. The International Committee of the Red Cross announced the temporary suspension of its work in Gaza City, relocating staff and operations to the south. The withdrawal underscores the risks aid agencies face in the enclave, where intensifying bombardment and ground manoeuvres are making humanitarian work nearly impossible.

For Gaza’s residents, the choices are narrowing to the point of disappearance.