On Monday, Israeli forces deployed tanks back into the greater Khan Younis area in southern Gaza. This military action followed evacuation orders for specific districts, which Israeli authorities claimed had been used by militants to launch renewed attacks. Gaza medics reported that at least 70 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, with casualties including women and children.
Details of the Assault
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Tank and Airstrikes: According to Gaza medics, the Israeli tanks advanced more than two kilometers (1.2 miles) into the town of Bani Suhaila and surrounding areas on the eastern side of Khan Younis. This advancement was accompanied by airstrikes, resulting in extensive destruction and loss of life.
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Civilian Impact: Residents of the densely populated southern Gaza area reported fleeing under heavy fire. The Gaza health ministry reported that the deceased included several women and children, with over 200 others wounded. The ministry's statistics do not differentiate between militants and civilians.
Israeli Military Justification
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Evacuation Orders: The Israeli military issued evacuation orders based on intelligence suggesting that militants were firing rockets from the affected areas and that Hamas was attempting to regroup. The military stated that over 30 "terror infrastructure sites" were targeted in Khan Younis.
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Humanitarian Concerns: Approximately 400,000 people were living in the affected areas, and many had begun evacuating their homes. Palestinian officials criticized the lack of time given for evacuation before the strikes began. Some families fled using donkey carts or on foot, carrying essential belongings.
Damage to Healthcare Facilities
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Red Crescent Clinics: The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that two clinics in eastern Khan Younis were rendered inoperative due to the ongoing offensive.
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Nasser Hospital: At Khan Younis' Nasser Hospital, some individuals gathered outside the morgue to mourn deceased relatives. Health officials at the hospital appealed for blood donations to address the large number of casualties.
Impact on Journalists and Media
In Deir Al-Balah, an Israeli airstrike hit a tent used by local journalists inside Al-Aqsa Hospital, killing one journalist and injuring two others. This incident raised the number of Palestinian journalists killed in the Israeli offensive to 163, according to the Hamas-run Gaza government media office.
Evacuation Orders and Humanitarian Zones
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Humanitarian Zones: Earlier in the day, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders due to increased militant attacks, including rocket launches from the targeted areas. These orders did not extend to health institutions. The Israeli military adjusted the boundaries of a designated humanitarian zone in coastal Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, to keep civilians away from combat areas. The Gaza Civil Emergency Services noted a reduction in the size of humanitarian-designated areas from 65 square kilometers (25 square miles) to 48 square kilometers (18.5 square miles).
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Humanitarian Crisis: The United Nations and international relief agencies have expressed concerns that there is no safe place left in Gaza. Health officials at Nasser Hospital called for blood donations due to the influx of casualties. The Gaza Strip is experiencing severe shortages in medical supplies and facilities.
Context and Background
Historical Context: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants, particularly Hamas, has been exacerbated by recent events. On October 7, 2023, militants from Hamas launched a cross-border assault that resulted in 1,200 Israeli casualties and over 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources. In response, Israel's retaliatory offensive has resulted in a significant death toll among Palestinians, with Gaza health authorities reporting at least 39,006 deaths as of Monday.
Efforts for Peace and Reconciliation:
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Ceasefire Efforts: Attempts at a ceasefire, led by Qatar and Egypt and supported by the U.S., have been hampered by disagreements over terms between the conflicting parties.
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Palestinian Reconciliation: In a recent development, 14 Palestinian factions, including rival groups Fatah and Hamas, signed the Beijing Declaration in China, aimed at ending longstanding disputes and strengthening Palestinian unity. The reconciliation dialogue was attended by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and concluded on July 23.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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