In a significant development, the Israeli army has ordered Palestinians living in eastern areas of Khan Younis, Gaza's second-largest city, to urgently leave their homes.
According to Al Jazeera, The military's Arabic-language spokesman, Avichay Adraee, issued the directive via a post on X, stating, "For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone."
The order has raised concerns among the local population, as it remains unclear which specific "humanitarian zone" Adraee referred to in his statement.
Previous evacuation directives had instructed Palestinians to seek refuge in the al-Mawasi area, but that camp city has been subjected to repeated attacks by Israeli forces in the past.
Such evacuation orders typically precede imminent ground assaults by Israeli troops and tanks, similar to the operation launched last week in northern Gaza City's Shujayea district. The move signals a potential escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in the region.
The situation in Khan Younis has been tense, with the Israeli military reporting the launch of around 20 projectiles from Gaza towards Israeli communities in recent days. While no immediate casualties or damage were reported, the sporadic rocket attacks have continued, even as militants regroup in areas previously impacted by Israeli ground operations.
The evacuation order comes at a time when tensions are already high in the region. Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes, leading to Israeli raids that have disrupted healthcare services in Gaza. The release of 55 Palestinian detainees, including the director of Gaza's main hospital, Mohammed Abu Selmia, who was held without charge for seven months, has further complicated the situation.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community closely monitors the situation in Khan Younis and the broader Gaza Strip, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing hostilities.