India, Sept. 16 -- Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz declared Tuesday that "Gaza is burning," vowing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would strike "with an iron fist" until Hamas is defeated and the remaining hostages are freed.

"We will not relent and we will not go back - until the completion of the mission," Katz wrote on X, as the military issued its first order for all residents of Gaza City to evacuate.

The unprecedented evacuation warning came as Israel pressed ahead with plans for a major offensive to capture what it describes as Hamas' last stronghold. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians remain in Gaza City, many already weakened by famine-like conditions and repeated displacements.

Associated Press reporters saw heavier-...