Gaza Evacuation: Israel Orders Civilians to Leave Khan Younis
In a concerning development, Israel’s military has issued an evacuation order for a densely populated area of Gaza that had been previously designated as a humanitarian zone. The order, issued on Saturday, affects parts of Khan Younis, including sections of Muwasi, a temporary settlement where thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge.
This latest directive comes in the wake of recent rocket attacks that Israel claims originated from this region. It marks the second evacuation notice within a week for an area that had been identified as a safe haven for Palestinians fleeing other conflict-affected parts of Gaza. Many residents have already been displaced multiple times in their search for safety amidst Israel’s intense air and ground offensives.
The situation in Khan Younis took a deadly turn on Monday when a series of Israeli airstrikes hit the area, resulting in at least 70 casualties, according to reports from Gaza’s Health Ministry citing data from Nasser Hospital.
The humanitarian zone in question covers approximately 60 square kilometers (20 square miles) and has been recommended by Israel as a safe area for Palestinians throughout the ongoing conflict. However, humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, have reported that much of this area consists of tent camps lacking proper sanitation and medical services, with limited access to humanitarian aid. Israel estimates that around 1.8 million Palestinians, more than half of Gaza’s pre-conflict population of 2 million, are currently residing in this zone.
The toll of the ongoing conflict in Gaza has been devastating. According to the local Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its statistics, over 39,100 Palestinians have lost their lives. In February, the United Nations estimated that approximately 17,000 individuals had been killed, a figure that has likely increased since then.
The conflict began following a Hamas assault on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths, primarily among civilians, and the abduction of approximately 250 individuals. It is believed that around 115 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with Israeli officials estimating that about a third of them are presumed dead.
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Link to original article: https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-palestinians-evacuation-27-july-2024-c95e8effebd9d4e4ba7e69bfbae61e04
