In the wake of escalating conflict, Palestinians are fleeing Khan Younis following orders from Israel to evacuate the area. The city, already scarred by previous offensives, now faces renewed destruction and displacement. Multiple Israeli strikes overnight and into the morning have led to significant casualties, further complicating an already dire humanitarian situation. According to a medical source and the Palestinian Red Crescent, these attacks resulted in eight fatalities and over 30 injuries.
Hospital Evacuations
Although the Israeli military’s evacuation order has not been extended to the European Gaza Hospital, patients and medical personnel left the facility. This decision was influenced by a demand from the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza for the hospital’s evacuation highlighting the concerns of Palestinians for their safety amidst already living in damaged and destroyed buildings due to the war. The Red Cross Society has also helped in transferring patients to another hospital.
Humanitarian Concerns
In the wake of this recent development, Louise Wateridge, an official with the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, raises concern for the welfare of Palestinians. She questioned where people could seek safety, as many had already been forced to live in structurally unsafe buildings after the Rafah military operation. “In this area, people were already forced to survive in severely damaged, destroyed, structurally unsafe buildings after the Rafah military operation,” she said.
Military Response
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the latest operation in Gaza was a response to approximately 20 projectiles launched from Khan Younis towards Israel on Monday. “Overnight, the IDF struck terror targets in the area from which the projectiles were fired, including a weapons storage facility, operational centers, and additional terrorist infrastructure sites,” the IDF reported. They accused Hamas of systematically violating international law by using civilian infrastructure and populations as human shields.
Current Situation
The armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for a significant barrage launched into Israel from Gaza on Monday, marking the largest attack in months. Much of Khan Younis had been destroyed in a sustained Israeli offensive against Hamas earlier this year. Despite the devastation, many residents returned to the city to escape the offensive in Rafah. Now, they face displacement once more, fearing a new major assault.
Bottom Line
The situation in Khan Younis is dire, with ongoing evacuations and military strikes. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, exacerbating the already critical humanitarian situation. The international community continues to express concern over the escalation and its impact on civilians.
