Israeli Army Orders Fresh Evacuations in Southern Gaza

The Israeli military has issued new evacuation orders for residents of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Saturday, following the retrieval of five Israeli bodies and an announcement of upcoming military operations.

According to the United Nations, over 180,000 Palestinians have already fled intense fighting in Khan Younis since the military began its operations there last Monday. These evacuations and increased hostilities have severely disrupted aid efforts, leading to critical water, hygiene, and sanitation issues in the region.

Israel warned it would “forcefully operate” in Khan Younis, including areas previously declared safe humanitarian zones. The Gaza health ministry, controlled by Hamas, reported on Monday that Israeli operations in Khan Younis resulted in 70 deaths and over 200 injuries.

The Israeli military stated that these operations aim to stop rocket fire from the area, which had already experienced heavy fighting earlier this year. On Wednesday, the military announced a rescue operation in Khan Younis that recovered the bodies of five Israelis who were killed in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and had been taken back to Gaza.

On Saturday, the military instructed more residents of Khan Younis to evacuate to the newly adjusted humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, marking the second change to the safe zone within a week.

Heavy fighting continued around eastern Khan Younis on Friday, with medics at Nasser Hospital reporting at least 16 bodies brought in from different parts of the southern governorate.

The conflict in Gaza began after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Militants also took 251 hostages, with 111 still held in Gaza, including 39 that the Israeli military believes are dead.

Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has led to at least 39,175 deaths, according to the Gaza health ministry.