Israel military has issued an evacuation order in a densely populated section of Gaza, which is designated as a humanitarian zone. This area encompasses parts of Khan Younis and Muwasi, a temporary camp where thousands of displaced Palestinians have found refuge. The evacuation is part of a planned operation against Hamas militants, prompted by rocket fire originating from the region.
Escalation and Impact of Recent Airstrikes
This evacuation represents the second directive within a week for regions designated to house Palestinians who have been displaced from other areas of Gaza. Following the order, Israeli airstrikes targeted the vicinity of Khan Younis on Monday, resulting in at least 70 deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry and Nasser Hospital. The strikes have intensified the already dire conditions faced by those in the humanitarian zones.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The affected area is part of a 60-square-kilometer ‘humanitarian zone’ designated by Israel for displaced Palestinians. These zones are heavily populated with tent camps that suffer from inadequate sanitation, medical facilities, and limited access to aid, as reported by the United Nations and humanitarian organisations. Approximately, 1.8 million Palestinians are taking shelter in these zones, representing more than half of Gaza’s pre-war population of 2.3 million.
Casualties and Ongoing Conflict
The ongoing conflict has claimed over 39,100 Palestinian lives, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its count. In February, the United Nations reported that approximately 17,000 children in Gaza were unaccompanied, and this figure is expected to have risen since then. The conflict erupted on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians , and taking about 250 hostages. Currently, around 115 hostages remain in Gaza, with roughly a third believed to be deceased, as per Israeli authorities.
(With AP Inputs)