The Israeli army has ordered evacuation calling for residents in southern Gaza to vacate major cities such as Rafah and Khan Younis, before a scheduled “unprecedented attack” on militants, an announcement on Monday stated. The army called for civilians to move to Al-Mawasi, a proclaimed humanitarian zone in southwestern Gaza, as hostilities escalate.
Despite the evacuation notice, rocket fire by militants persisted in the areas affected by it. Several eyewitnesses stated that most civilians heeded the evacuation, although Khan Younis, the second-largest city in Gaza, has witnessed heavy losses, with the Israeli army deeming it a “dangerous combat zone.” Hospitals like Nasser and Al-Amal in Khan Younis are still exempt from evacuation.
The intensifying Israeli onslaught in Gaza, however, is meeting increasing worldwide condemnation, including among Israel’s partners, as the death toll rises and becomes a serious humanitarian situation behind the restricted aid. The conflict started from the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and has claimed more than 53,900 lives and injured over 122,700 in Gaza, said Palestinian sources.
On the diplomatic side, Israel spurned a recent truce offer that included hostage release and a short-term ceasefire. The proposal, which was made by a Palestinian-American negotiator, would grant a 70-day truce and several hostelries released, according to reports. Israeli officials, as well as US envoy Steve Witkoff, have rejected these reports, with Witkoff calling on Hamas to embrace the offer on the table.
Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes persist, hitting more than 200 militant installations in the last two days. Overnight raids killed at least 36, mostly women and children, in the north of Gaza, where a Hamas command center located in a former school was hit by bombs. The Israeli military claims the attacks seek to prevent intended assaults and denounce Hamas’s utilization of civilian facilities for military objectives.
The conflict shows no sign of abating as humanitarian conditions worsen and negotiations remain stalled.
