The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has released video of the roadblocks and claims that Hamas is preventing Palestinians from leaving the northern Gaza Strip and heading south, as they were urged to do before an imminent Israeli offensive. the Times of Israel reports.

The Israeli military has warned residents of the northern Gaza Strip to flee south amid preparations for an expected ground invasion or intensified offensive. About 1 million people live in this territory. The IDF says it has identified hundreds of thousands of Palestinians moving south, but many remain stuck at Hamas roadblocks.

“Hamas makes it difficult for residents of the Gaza Strip to move on the main roads and prevents the passage of vehicles on these roads,” the Israeli army says.

The Israel Defense Forces released a video showing traffic jams in the Gaza Strip caused by Hamas roadblocks. “We see active efforts by Hamas to block and prevent the population from going south. Hamas wants to show the world that it has victims and dead,” IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a press conference.

“We continue to call on the people of Gaza City to go south … Hamas wants you to become human shields … It is about your personal safety,” Hagari added.

“We will attack Gaza City on a very large scale in the near future,” he announced.