Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled and continue to flee northern Gaza in anticipation of an expected Israeli ground offensive.

In his latest update on the evacuations, an IDF spokesman said civilians remaining in northern Gaza should head south between 10:00 and 13:00 local time.

According to him, they will have to use only one road from Beit Hanoun to Khan Yunis, adding that the army will not target that particular route during these hours.

This is the third ultimatum issued by the Israeli military since Friday, when it ordered Gaza civilians to move from north to south.

Gaza is being pushed into an abyss, UNRWA’s communications director told the BBC.

It is not clear at this stage how many people are moving from the north of the Gaza Strip to the south, but according to the UN aid agency operating inside the territory, this is a new “Exodus”.

“This is the worst we’ve ever seen, this is rock bottom. This is Gaza being pushed into an abyss, there is tragedy unfolding as the world watches. This is Gaza,” said Juliette Touma, adding: “People are leaving. Those who can, with their cars, some walk, others carry mattresses. People are terrified.”