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Israel’s army issued evacuation warnings on Tuesday for several areas in northern Gaza amid escalating tensions in the region.The orders came after Israel following the interception of a projectile by Israel from the area, reported AFP. Israeli forces are “operating with great force in the areas where you are located to destroy the capabilities of terrorist organizations,” the military’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a post on X. The army “will respond firmly to every terrorist act or rocket attack. For your own safety, evacuate immediately south to known shelters in Gaza City,” he added.This comes as Israel’s conflict with Gaza continues, being in its second year now, since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007. Israel argues the blockade is necessary to prevent arms from reaching Hamas, while critics view it as collective punishment of Gaza’s population. In a recent blockade, Israeli forces intercepting a civilian vessel with Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and other volunteers onboard on Monday in international waters.The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which organized the mission, reported that the ship Madleen was attacked at 3.02 am CET. The vessel was trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The group alleges that the ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed crew taken, and its cargo of food, baby formula, and medical supplies seized.Read more: IDF intercepts, boards Greta Thunberg’s yacht; group calls detention ‘arbitrary’ and ‘unlawful’During the 20-month conflict in Gaza, Israel has limited and sometimes halted aid, including food, fuel, and medicine, which experts say has pushed Gaza toward famine. Israel claims Hamas diverts aid to strengthen its control. Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack that started the war and took 251 hostages, most of whom have been released through ceasefire agreements or other deals. Hamas reportedly still holds 55 hostages, with more than half believed to be deceased. Israel’s military actions have resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but reports that women and children constitute most of the casualties. The conflict has devastated large parts of Gaza and displaced about 90% of its population, making them heavily reliant on international aid.