The Israeli military ordered further evacuations in southern Gaza after a deadly airstrike targeted a school used as a shelter, killing at least 80 Palestinians, as reported by local health authorities. Israel claimed the strike targeted a militant command post, resulting in the deaths of at least 19 fighters.
Israel has been issuing mass evacuation orders as its troops revisit severely damaged areas previously engaged in conflict with Palestinian militants. The majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced at least once during the 10-month-old war, leading to overcrowded tent camps lacking essential services or seeking refuge in places like schools.
The recent evacuation notices affected areas in Khan Younis, including a portion of an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone from where rockets had reportedly been launched. Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of using civilians as shields and launching attacks from residential areas.
Khan Younis, the second-largest city in Gaza, faced significant destruction during an air and ground offensive earlier in the year. Many residents had to flee once again after a previous evacuation order was issued last week.
With hundreds of families leaving their homes and shelters, residents like Amal Abu Yahia, a 42-year-old widow and mother of three, expressed their uncertainty and desperation as they sought shelter, highlighting the ongoing struggle for safety and stability in the war-torn region.
Ramadan Issa, a father of five in his 50s, fled Khan Younis with 17 family members, echoing the sentiments of many others facing constant upheaval and instability due to the conflict.
Gaza’s Health Ministry reported a death toll nearing 40,000 from the ongoing war, with aid organizations grappling to meet the vast humanitarian needs in the territory, including the looming threat of famine.
The conflict, which began with Hamas-led militants breaching Israel’s defenses, has caused extensive casualties and abductions, leading to international mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
The strike on the school in Gaza City drew condemnation from European leaders, with the U.S. expressing concerns over civilian casualties. The need for a ceasefire and a resolution to the conflict was underscored by Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizing the urgency of reaching a deal and halting the violence.
The U.N. human rights office has accused Israel of conducting “systematic attacks on schools” serving as shelters during the conflict, with numerous civilian casualties recorded. The ongoing violence has escalated tensions in the region, with implications for broader regional stability and security.
Reports of the strike’s aftermath at the school in Gaza City underscore the dire humanitarian situation in the area, with international calls for an immediate ceasefire and efforts to address the significant human toll of the conflict.
