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Exodus from Khan Younès: 150,000 Palestinians Flee Amid Unrelenting Bombardments
Over 80% of Gaza Under Evacuation Orders or Declared No-Go Zones
Amidst a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis, the Gaza Strip witnessed one of its largest single-day displacements on Monday, July 22, as more than 150,000 residents fled Khan Younès. This mass exodus, reported by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), underscores the severe conditions in the southern town now besieged by relentless bombardment from Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
Khan Younès has become a focal point of conflict, with the IOF intensifying attacks on what they describe as Hamas strongholds. This onslaught has transformed the town into yet another epicenter of displacement in a war that has already forced most of Gaza's 2.4 million inhabitants from their homes.
According to the United Nations, over 80% of the Gaza Strip is either under evacuation orders or designated as no-go zones by the IOF. "No place in Gaza is safe," said Louise Wateridge, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), highlighting the precarious situation faced by the population.
The IOF issued an evacuation order for the eastern part of Khan Younès, including the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone, on Monday, citing the presence of Hamas militants. The rapid escalation left residents with little time to evacuate, forcing many to flee without their belongings while others remain trapped amidst the conflict.
Displaced residents are seeking refuge in areas like Deir al-Balah and the western parts of Khan Younès, which are already severely overcrowded. These regions lack the necessary infrastructure to support the influx of people, resulting in limited access to shelter, healthcare, sanitation, and other essential humanitarian aid.
The mass evacuations are disrupting critical humanitarian operations. OCHA has noted that several health centers and food distribution points are located in the affected areas, complicating efforts to provide aid to those in need.
Since the onset of the IOF offensive, more than 39,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza, according to the territory's Ministry of Health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also raised alarms about potential epidemics, including the highly infectious polio virus, after traces were found in sewage.
Gaza's healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with only 16 of its 36 hospitals partially operational. The Nasser medical complex is overwhelmed with wounded patients, facing severe shortages of blood supplies, medical equipment, and hospital beds. Dr. Ayadil Saparbekov, WHO team leader, warned, "More people may die from communicable diseases than from war-related injuries" if the situation does not improve.
As the crisis deepens, the international community watches closely, but the plight of Gaza's residents continues to worsen with each passing day.