Israeli army shuts route for return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza

The Israeli army on Wednesday announced the closure of Al-Rasheed coastal road, the main route linking southern and northern Gaza, to prevent the return of displaced Palestinians.

The road would be closed from noon, allowing only southward movement for those still in Gaza City, said Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee on X.

The move prevents Palestinians who fled to southern Gaza from returning to the north.

Israeli forces have repeatedly blocked access since October 2023, isolating northern Gaza and worsening the humanitarian crisis in the coastal enclave. The road was briefly reopened in January 2025 during a fragile ceasefire.

The new move comes amid an intensified ground offensive launched by the Israeli army in Gaza City in September, targeting Hamas fighters with the stated aim of freeing the remaining Israeli hostages.

Tanks have advanced into several neighborhoods, in what the army described as the heaviest fighting since the offensive began.

The United Nations estimates that 1.9 million of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have been displaced multiple times since the conflict began. Humanitarian groups have warned that the latest closure will deepen the isolation of northern Gaza and hinder aid delivery.