Amidst a significant security vacuum in Gaza City, great tension is escalating around Al-Shifa Hospital as citizens call for the Palestinian Authority to intervene and protect residents due to an "almost complete withdrawal" of Hamas elements. The calls, sent to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, urge immediate action by authority agencies in Gaza to address the deteriorating security situation. Reports indicate a state of popular "boiling" in the vicinity of Al-Shifa Hospital, with citizens expressing a desperate need for protection following Hamas's apparent inability to maintain control. This comes as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have finalized preparations for a major assault on Gaza City, having previously issued warnings for residents to evacuate the entire city, designating it a "red zone." Earlier in the reporting window, between 1:47 PM UTC and 2:32 PM UTC on September 14th, 2025, a new source highlighted the severe tension and security vacuum around Al-Shifa Hospital. This development follows previous IDF actions, including strikes on high-rise towers used by Hamas for surveillance and attack preparation, which occurred after evacuation warnings were issued for specific neighborhoods and areas within Gaza City. Over 300,000 Palestinians were estimated to have already left the city prior to this reporting period.
