Khan Younis under siege: Israeli attacks cause heavy casualties and displacement

The Israeli military has launched a new assault on Khan Younis in southern Gaza, causing substantial casualties and displacing thousands. This latest operation comes after evacuation orders were issued for several neighborhoods, including areas previously designated as humanitarian zones.

The recent military action in Khan Younis has resulted in the deaths of at least 70 individuals, according to medical sources in Gaza. The Israeli military’s assault followed its orders for Palestinians to evacuate from multiple neighborhoods, including parts of Al-Mawasi, which had been classified as humanitarian zones. The Palestinian Civil Defence estimates that around 400,000 people, many of whom had sought refuge in tent encampments in Al-Mawasi, have been affected by these evacuation orders.

The Israeli military has claimed that Hamas militants operating from Khan Younis and Al-Mawasi have been using these areas to launch rockets into Israel. In a statement, the military indicated that it had adjusted the boundaries of the humanitarian zone in Al-Mawasi to minimize civilian exposure to combat zones. However, Gaza health officials reported that the recent attacks have resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries in Khan Younis, with additional casualties possibly buried under rubble or stranded on roadways. Ambulances have reportedly struggled to reach affected areas.

According to the Israeli military, its forces have targeted over 30 sites associated with Hamas in Khan Younis. This includes airstrikes on a weapons storage facility, observation posts, tunnel shafts, and other structures used by militants. Despite these claims, the Israeli military did not comment on the specific death toll when approached by Agence France-Presse (AFP). The military has emphasized that its fighter jets and tanks have successfully neutralized several targets.

The destruction in Khan Younis has been extensive, with much of the city already heavily damaged by prior attacks. In recent months, displaced residents have returned to the eastern part of the city to seek shelter in tents after being forced out of other areas in Gaza. The scale of the devastation underscores the severe humanitarian crisis faced by the region.

Since the onset of the current conflict on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli territory, resulting in 1,200 deaths and around 250 hostages, more than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed due to Israeli military operations in Gaza.

The continued escalation in Gaza, particularly in Khan Younis, highlights the complex and dire humanitarian situation in the region. The large-scale displacement and significant civilian casualties underscore the severe impact of the ongoing conflict on the local population. The international community continues to monitor the situation, urging all parties to seek avenues for de-escalation and resolution.