Lack of hotel rooms delay evacuation from Ashkelon: Israeli media

By Abdul Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) — Civilian evacuations have been suspended in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, local authorities announced on Sunday, citing a shortage of accommodations.

"Up to today, despite full readiness for evacuating residents, there are no available hotel rooms across the country," the coastal city's municipality said, according to radio station Kan Darom.

The broadcaster also reported that since Thursday, authorities in Ashkelon had decided to move 24,000 at-risk residents, including 3,000 elderly, to hotels and other hospitality establishments for 15 days.

It said that 160 million shekels ($40 million) of government spending has been earmarked for the initiative, launched amid the ongoing conflict in nearby Gaza.

The municipality said the move was in line with evacuations in other parts of the country, mandated by the Defense Ministry and National Emergency Authority, to clear northern towns where southern residents are usually relocated when needed.

Israel has taken measures to evacuate most residents of areas near in the Gaza border as well as 43 towns near its northern frontier with Lebanon amid ongoing cross-border rocket attacks.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,651 Palestinians, including 1,873 children and 1,023 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza.

* Writing by Rania Abu Shamala