Intense Clashes Escalate in Southern Gaza Amidst Israel’s Continued Offensive

Intense conflict continued throughout the night and into Sunday in Khan Younis, a town in southern Gaza, as Israel intensified its military operations despite global calls for a ceasefire. The escalation follows the United States’ recent blockage of international efforts to stop the fighting and its provision of additional military supplies to Israel.

The offensive has sparked global outrage due to the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties and the displacement of nearly 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population. Despite these concerns, the United States has recently vetoed U.N. Security Council resolutions aimed at ending the hostilities, which had broad international support. Additionally, the U.S. expedited an emergency sale of over $100 million in tank ammunition to Israel.

The U.S. has committed to supporting Israel’s objective to significantly weaken Hamas’ military and governance capabilities, following the October 7 attack by Hamas and other Palestinian militants that allegedly killed approximately 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages in southern Israel. This event triggered the ongoing conflict.

In retaliation, Israel’s response has been a severe air and ground campaign, leading to thousands of Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians, and forcing around 1.9 million people to leave their homes. The U.N. reports severe shortages of essential supplies in Gaza due to limited aid and difficulty in distribution.

Despite evacuating a large portion of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, many residents remained, fearing the south would be no safer. Israeli forces have detained numerous individuals in this region, searching for Hamas fighters. Reports have emerged of detainees being mistreated, claims that the Israeli military has not commented on.

The conflict, now in its third month, has resulted in over 17,700 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, primarily women and children, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza. The Ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths. Israel blames Hamas for civilian casualties, accusing them of using civilians as shields. The Israeli military has lost 97 soldiers, and Palestinian militants continue to launch rockets into Israel.

Israel has directed civilians to evacuate to safer areas, even as it strikes targets throughout Gaza. Many have fled to Rafah and other areas along the Egyptian border, where aid agencies can still provide food and water. However, conditions in these areas are extremely difficult, with overcrowding and inadequate shelter.

Soad Qarmoot, a cancer patient from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, described the harsh conditions after being forced to leave her home, sleeping on the sand in freezing temperatures. Her and her children’s plight exemplifies the dire humanitarian situation facing displaced Palestinians.