As bombardment closed in on Gaza City, an exodus of Palestinians surged southward, flooding the roads in desperate flight.

Israel's defense minister on Wednesday ordered all remaining Palestinians to leave Gaza City, saying it was their “last opportunity” and that anyone who stayed would be considered a militant supporter and face the “full force” of Israel's latest offensive.

Around 400,000 Palestinians have fled famine-stricken Gaza City since Israel launched a major offensive last month aimed at occupying it, but hundreds of thousands remain, many because they cannot afford to leave or are too weak to make the journey to tent camps in the south.

Trucks and cars loaded with belongings, packed in haste, crawled through a choked road along the Mediterranean.

Between them, families trudged on foot — some barefoot — bearing heavy loads of what they could carry.

“I’ve been walking for over eight continuous hours. Of course, my wife, my sons and my daughters are with me,” a displaced man from Gaza City, Mahmoud Ouda, said.

“We were displaced under the pressure and strikes. The strikes were heavy at night.”

On Wednesday, the Israeli army issued a statement saying it would block the road leading north, trapping those who attempted to return or reposition.

Meanwhile, Israel’s defense minister ordered all remaining Palestinians in Gaza City to evacuate, warning that anyone who stayed would be considered a militant supporter and face the full force of its military.

“We left running. We couldn’t take clothes, furniture or mattresses,” Husein Al-Del said.

“We took nothing. We left barefoot. The Jews were striking randomly. No mercy for anyone. We left behind our food, our furniture, blankets, and everything. We left only with our souls.”

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a Gaza peace proposal that calls in part for Hamas to disarm, cede governance of Gaza and release all hostages within 72 hours, in exchange for a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, humanitarian aid and postwar reconstruction.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly endorsed the plan, albeit with conditions, and Israel signaled readiness to enforce its terms.

Hamas, on the other hand, has yet to issue a formal response to the plan.