Israel's military has issued an evacuation order to residents in the southern part of Khan Younis, a town in Gaza, as tensions continue to rise in the region. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) warned of an imminent operation in the area, citing increased militant activity and rocket fire originating from southern Khan Younis.
The IDF has urged the remaining population in the southern neighborhoods to temporarily evacuate to the adjusted Humanitarian Area in Al-Mawasi. This move comes in response to recent clashes that have resulted in casualties on both sides.
Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people, with reports of over 39,000 Palestinians killed and 90,000 injured, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. The figures provided by Gazan authorities have not been independently verified.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 150,000 individuals fled the area following evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military. This mass exodus has put immense pressure on already limited supplies of food, water, and shelter in the region.
Aid agencies operating in Gaza have expressed concerns about the challenges in delivering emergency assistance to the affected population. The UN Relief and Works Agency highlighted the dire living conditions faced by the people in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian support.
In response to the escalating conflict, the IDF has been communicating evacuation instructions to residents through various channels, including SMS messages, recorded voice messages, phone calls, media broadcasts in Arabic, and flyers. The military aims to minimize harm to civilians by providing early warnings and guidance for temporary relocation.
The situation remains volatile, with ongoing clashes between Israeli forces and militant groups in Gaza. The IDF recently recovered the bodies of five Israeli hostages from a tunnel in Khan Younis, underscoring the complex and dangerous environment in the region.
