Israel’s military has instructed the evacuation of a densely populated area in Gaza known as a humanitarian zone. The evacuation is part of Israel’s planned operation against Hamas militants in Khan Younis, which includes regions of Muwasi, a makeshift camp where thousands are currently seeking shelter. The order was issued in response to rocket attacks originating from the area. This marks the second evacuation directive in a week in an area meant for Palestinians escaping conflict in other parts of Gaza. The ongoing violence has forced many Palestinians to repeatedly uproot themselves in search of safety during Israel’s military campaign.
Following a previous evacuation order, Israeli airstrikes on Monday targeted areas around Khan Younis, resulting in the reported deaths of at least 70 individuals, as stated by Gaza’s Health Ministry, with figures provided by Nasser Hospital. The designated “humanitarian zone” spans 60 square kilometers and has been advised by Israel as a safe haven for Palestinians throughout the conflict. However, this area is mainly filled with tent camps lacking vital facilities like sanitation and medical assistance, with limited access to aid, according to reports from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations. An estimated 1.8 million Palestinians are currently seeking refuge there, surpassing half of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million.
In a separate incident north of the area, airstrikes claimed the lives of at least five individuals overnight in Zawaida in central Gaza, as reported by journalists on-site and confirmed by Deir al Balah’s Al Aqsa hospital. Among the casualties were a father, mother, and three children. The devastating conflict in Gaza has led to a death toll of over 39,100 Palestinians, as per the territory’s Health Ministry figures, which do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. The United Nations previously estimated that around 17,000 children in Gaza have been left unaccompanied, a number likely to have increased since the initial assessment.
The conflict in Gaza was sparked by an attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, predominantly civilians, and the taking of approximately 250 hostages. Presently, around 115 individuals remain in Gaza, with Israeli authorities estimating that about one-third of them may have died.
