Israel has intensified its evacuation orders in Khan Younis, in the Gaza Strip’s south, following a devastating airstrike on a school in Gaza City where displaced Palestinians sought refuge, killing at least 90 people.
The Israeli military claims it targeted operatives from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, alleging they used the school as a militant command post. These groups deny the claims, stating the school was merely a shelter.
Overnight, the evacuation in Khan Younis prompted tens of thousands to flee amid tank shelling, marking one of the conflict’s largest displacement orders. Residents received evacuation directives via social media and direct messages, urging them to relocate to designated “humanitarian zones” despite the ongoing dangers.
Philippe Lazzarini of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees highlighted the dire situation, noting that many displaced individuals carry minimal belongings to already overcrowded shelters. The Israeli military reported striking multiple Hamas military targets recently, including storage facilities and missile launch posts.
As hostilities continue, residents report ongoing airstrikes in Khan Younis, with recent attacks near the city’s market killing four and injuring several. Smoke billows from bombed sites, including multi-floor buildings, as the conflict’s death toll escalates, with significant civilian casualties reported by Gaza health officials.
The conflict began when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel last October, leading to a widespread Israeli military response across Gaza, resulting in massive displacement and destruction within the region. The UN confirms that safe zones are scarce, with even designated humanitarian areas being targeted.
