Israel widens evacuation orders in southern Gaza

The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders in southern Gaza early Sunday, following a devastating airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in the northern region that reportedly killed at least 80 Palestinians, according to local health authorities. This airstrike is among the deadliest in the ongoing 10-month conflict.

Mass Evacuations in a Besieged Region

Israel has repeatedly enforced mass evacuations as its forces re-enter heavily destroyed areas where they have previously engaged with Palestinian militants. Gaza, a densely populated territory home to 2.3 million people, has seen the vast majority of its residents displaced multiple times across its 25-mile (40-kilometer) by 7-mile (11-kilometer) landscape.

Khan Younis Under New Evacuation Orders

The latest orders specifically target areas within Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city. Notably, this includes parts of an Israeli-designated humanitarian zone that the military claims has been used to launch rockets. Israel has consistently accused Hamas and other militant groups of using civilian areas as shields and launching pads for attacks.

Shrinking Humanitarian Zones and Displaced Populations

The humanitarian zones in Gaza have been progressively reduced throughout the war due to successive evacuation orders. This has forced hundreds of thousands of people into overcrowded tent camps with limited public services or into schools for shelter. However, the United Nations reports that hundreds of these schools have been directly hit or sustained damage.

Widespread Destruction and Displacement in Khan Younis

Khan Younis has faced extensive destruction from air and ground offensives earlier this year. Following a recent evacuation order, tens of thousands of residents were displaced yet again. The latest evacuation directive was communicated via leaflets dropped from the sky, prompting hundreds of families to leave their homes and seek refuge, despite the uncertainty of where they could safely go.

Personal Accounts of Displacement

Amal Abu Yahia, a mother of three, exemplifies the plight of many in Gaza. After returning to her severely damaged home in Khan Younis in June, she and her family have now been displaced for the fourth time. She recounted their failed attempt to find space in the Muwasi tent camp along the coast.

Ramadan Issa, a father of five, described the constant cycle of setting up temporary shelters only to be displaced again by ongoing bombings. He expressed the frustration and desperation shared by many in Gaza, stating, “This situation is unbearable.”

Rising Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis

Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that the Palestinian death toll from the conflict is nearing 40,000. Aid organizations are struggling to cope with the severe humanitarian crisis, while international experts warn of an impending famine.

Palestinians flee their houses due to Israeli strikes, after a temporary truce between Hamas and Israel expired, in the eastern part of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, December 1, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Origins of the Conflict

The current conflict began on October 7 when militants, led by Hamas, breached Israel’s defenses, attacking farming communities and army bases, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and around 250 abductions.

Ongoing Efforts for Ceasefire and Hostage Release

The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been engaged in extensive negotiations to establish a ceasefire and secure the release of the approximately 110 remaining hostages, about a third of whom are believed by Israeli authorities to have perished. These discussions are set to continue.

Regional Tensions and International Reactions

The conflict has heightened the risk of a broader regional war, with Israel engaging in exchanges of fire with Iran and its militant allies. In the West Bank, which has experienced increased violence since the war’s onset, an Israeli civilian was recently killed in a terrorist attack, further escalating tensions.

Condemnation and Calls for Peace

Israel’s recent airstrike on a mosque inside a Gaza City school, where thousands sought refuge, has drawn widespread condemnation from European leaders and Israel’s neighbors. The U.S. has expressed serious concerns over the civilian casualties, with Vice President Kamala Harris emphasizing the urgency for a ceasefire and hostage deal. “Yet again, far too many civilians have been killed,” she remarked, stressing the need for immediate action to end the suffering.