Israeli analysts see evidence that Hamas is showing weakness and cracks, as Gazans escape en masse from being used as human shields.

Tens of thousands of residents of northern Gaza evacuating towards the south in a humanitarian corridor protected by Israel, a scene marked by white flags and hands raised as they passed through IDF checkpoints on one of Gaza’s main roads. The Israel Defense Forces designated a four-hour period for civilians to vacate, even extending the pause to allow more people out.

Videos shared by the IDF captured the urgency of the moment, with a stream of evacuees, including the young and old, making the arduous journey away from conflict zones. The gravity of the situation was encapsulated by Wedad Al-Ghoul, who, with her child in tow, had traversed nearly 5 miles from the coast. “I am carrying my ID because I was told it will be safe, I don’t know if I am going to be allowed to enter or arrive to the south,” she conveyed the uncertainty of her passage.

This is unbelievable.

The IDF has stationed itself in a position to protect Gazans who are heeding the IDF’s request to move to southern Gaza temporarily so the IDF can eliminate Hamas in northern Gaza.

And the peoples of Gaza are listening and running from Hamas as the… pic.twitter.com/RTka7UZrXw

— Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) November 8, 2023

Um Zaher, a mother burdened with the care of four children and limited by her own mobility, shared a poignant narrative of survival, “I am a resident of Al-Shejaiya neighborhood… We saw death in our own eyes, the floor was exploding from under us. I have only one son and three daughters, I can’t walk, where do we go? No house, no food, no water; they left us with nothing,” Zaher recounted to CNN.

The IDF spokesperson for Arabic media, Avichay Adraee, announced the temporary safety corridor along Salah A-din Street, underscoring the window of opportunity afforded to civilians amidst the conflict. However, the notion of safety remains precarious as reports of explosions in central and southern Gaza continue to emerge, even within areas designated for the displaced.

Accusations of Hamas using civilians as shields have been met with denial by the group and several hospitals in Gaza. Meanwhile, the IDF claims significant hits on terrorist targets, including the decimation of Hamas operatives and infrastructure.