Scores killed in Israeli strikes as IDF orders evacuation of Gaza humanitarian zone

The Israeli militaryinitiated a new assault on Khan Younis in southern Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 70 people, according to medical sources.

This attack followed orders for Palestinians to evacuate multiple neighbourhoods, including some that had been designated by the military as part of a humanitarian zone.

According to the Palestinian civil defence estimation, around 400,000 people sheltering in the city were affected by the order, including some areas previously designated as humanitarian zones, such as the eastern part of Al-Mawasi. This sandy strip, with no infrastructure, has recently served as a refuge for Palestinians living in tent encampments.

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The Israeli military claimed Hamas militants in Khan Younis and part of Al-Mawasi were using the area to launch rockets at Israel. “We were displaced from the eastern regions, they called us to evacuate, we took our children and left,” Osama Qudeih told the Associated Press (AP).

While the military stated it was adjusting the boundaries of humanitarian zone identified in Al-Mawasi to keep the civilian population away from areas of combat. Gaza health officials reported that the fatalities and injuries occurred during attacks in and around Khan Younis.

They also indicated that additional casualties were likely still buried under rubble or stranded on roadsides, as ambulances were unable to reach them.

However, the Israeli military did not comment on the death toll when asked by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

But in a statement, the military said the terrorists wereeliminated by its fighter jets and tanks.

The military further said, the forces targeted more than 30 terror infrastructure sites in Khan Younis.

While, Israeli warplanes targeted a weapons storage facility, observation posts, tunnel shafts, and structures utilised by Hamas militants, it added. Many injured people were taken to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

It may be mentioned here, that much of Khan Younis was destroyed by extreme attacks in the months before Monday’s (Jul22) strikes, yet hundreds of thousands of people returned to seek shelter in tents in the eastern part of the city after they were displaced from other parts of Gaza.

Notably, over 39,000 people have been killed in Israel’s onslaught in Gaza since 7 October last year, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli territory, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostages.

(With inputs from agencies)