Thousands of families are attempting to flee Gaza City as the Israeli military confirms it has begun ground operations that are part of its large-scale assault aimed at occupying the city.
Lina al-Maghrebi, 32, a mother of three from the city's Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, told the BBC she had resisted leaving her home - despite the danger - until she received a phone call from an Israeli officer ordering her to evacuate.
I was forced to sell my jewellery to cover the cost of displacement and a tent, she said. It took us 10 hours to reach Khan Younis, and we paid 3,500 shekels (£735) for the ride. The line of cars and trucks seemed endless.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a powerful operation had been launched in Gaza City, describing it as Hamas's last major stronghold.
The Israeli military has designated al-Rashid coastal road as the only permitted route for civilians to use for evacuation. Many have described severe congestion, endless queues of cars and trucks, and long delays, with families stranded on the roadside while airstrikes continue overhead.
Nivin Imad al-Din, 38, a mother of five, fled south after Israeli warplanes dropped evacuation leaflets in her neighbourhood, although her husband refused to leave their home.
I couldn't take my furniture with me because I couldn't afford the cost of a large truck, she explained. Leaving everything behind was the hardest decision I've ever made.
The cost of displacement has surged far beyond the reach of most households. Residents reported that renting a small truck costs around 3,000 shekels (£630), while a tent for five people sells for about 4,000 shekels (£840). With most families deprived of income since the war began, some are forced to walk for miles or remain in their homes despite the risks.
Overnight into Tuesday, Israeli warplanes carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Gaza City, with concentrated bombardment on the central al-Daraj neighbourhood, the Beach refugee camp in the west, and Sheikh Radwan in the north.
The attacks were accompanied by artillery fire, drone strikes, and helicopter gunship activity. The Israel Defense Forces stated they were gradually moving into Gaza City as part of the next phase of its offensive, with the number of troops increasing daily.
Residents described the overnight strikes as hell. Ghazi al-Aloul, a displaced resident from northern Gaza, shared, I did not choose this. I was forced after leaving the home where my family and I had been sheltering for nearly a month after fleeing the north.
The bombardment has been insane for hours, and the army is threatening to demolish several residential buildings in the area, he added.
