The three-hour deadline to evacuate north Gaza long over, the Israeli Defence Forces are now waiting for political green signal for the long-expected ground offensive. A new front meanwhile, is opening up on the border with Lebanon. Israel has told 1.1 million people in northern Gaza to leave for the south of the territory and thousands are using the designated safe routes today. Around 1.1 million people - nearly half the population of 2.4 million - live in north Gaza.