Israel Orders Partial Evacuation of Gaza Humanitarian Zone

Monday 22 July 2024 - 13:05

The Israeli military has instructed civilians to temporarily evacuate a section of its designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza due to an impending "forceful operation" against Palestinian armed groups. This directive follows reports of "significant terrorist activity and rocket fire" originating from the eastern neighborhoods of Khan Younis.

Residents have been directed to relocate to an "adjusted" area within al-Mawasi, the humanitarian zone. Following this announcement, Palestinians reported intense Israeli air and artillery strikes in and around Khan Younis.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry reported at least 14 casualties, including six children and four women. The ministry has also called for blood donations at Nasser hospital in western Khan Younis to manage the influx of injured individuals.

Much of Khan Younis, Gaza's second-largest city, was devastated during an Israeli offensive earlier this year. Many residents had returned after Israeli troops commenced operations in Rafah in May. However, tens of thousands were displaced again at the beginning of this month following a new evacuation order for other eastern neighborhoods of Khan Younis and nearby areas.

The humanitarian zone, stretching from al-Mawasi to Deir al-Balah, has been the designated evacuation area despite UN warnings of overcrowding and insufficient basic services. Israel has carried out several deadly strikes within this zone over the past two weeks, claiming to target Palestinian fighters operating there.

On July 13, Gaza's health ministry reported over 90 fatalities in an Israeli strike within al-Mawasi, which was allegedly aimed at the head of Hamas's military wing. The Israeli military stated on Friday that there were "increasing signs" that Mohammed Deif might have been among the casualties, though Hamas has not confirmed this. The military also reiterated that the commander of Hamas's Khan Younis brigade was killed in the strike.

In a separate incident, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), accused Israeli forces of firing upon a marked UN convoy en route to Gaza City. An armored vehicle was reportedly hit by at least five bullets near an Israeli checkpoint south of the Wadi Gaza river valley on Sunday. While the vehicle was severely damaged and UN personnel were forced to take cover, no casualties were reported.

Lazzarini emphasized that the convoy’s movement had been coordinated with Israeli authorities and called for those responsible to be held accountable. The Israeli military stated they were investigating the report.

Israel's campaign in Gaza, aimed at destroying Hamas, was launched in response to an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.

According to Gaza's health ministry, the death toll in the territory since the conflict began has surpassed 38,980.