DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: The Israeli military Monday renewed its calls for mass evacuations from the southern town of Khan Younis in Gaza, where tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have sought refuge in recent weeks, as the aggressor widened its ground offensive and bombarded targets across the Gaza Strip.
The widened offensive, following the collapse of a weeklong cease-fire, is aimed at eliminating Gaza’s Hamas rulers, whose Oct. 7 attack into Israel triggered the deadliest Israeli-Palestinian violence in decades. The war has already killed thousands of Palestinians and displaced over three-fourths of the territory’s population of 2.3 million Palestinians, who are running out of safe places to go.
Under increasing pressure from the United States, Israel is intensifying efforts to weaken Hamas before potentially renewed negotiations.
The ongoing violence has raised concerns about the habitability of larger areas within the isolated territory. The ground offensive has already turned parts of the north, including Gaza City, into a rubble-filled wasteland. Hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in the south face similar risks, with both Israel and Egypt refusing to accept refugees.
Despite military warnings and evacuation orders, some residents are skeptical about the safety of designated areas. The situation has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, with the Health Ministry in Gaza reporting a death toll exceeding 15,500 and over 41,000 wounded since Oct. 7. The toll includes a significant number of women and children. Rescue personnel have also been casualties, with reports of Israeli strikes killing rescuers in Gaza City and the Jabalia refugee camp.
The hope for a temporary truce diminished as Israel recalled negotiators, and Hamas tied talks on releasing hostages to a permanent cease-fire. The U.S., along with Qatar and Egypt, is working on a longer truce.
Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the need to avoid mass displacement and civilian casualties during her regional visit. However, the extent of the Biden administration’s influence on Israel’s offensive remains uncertain, as pressure grows from allies in Congress. The U.S. has maintained unwavering support for Israel since the Oct. 7 attack, rejecting suggestions to transfer postwar Gaza control to the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.
Palestinians, who used a brief respite to address basic needs, are once again struggling to escape the aerial bombardment. The conflict continues to claim civilian lives, with Israel asserting it targets Hamas operatives while blaming militants for operating in residential areas. The military insists on taking measures to protect civilians through evacuation orders, leaflets, phone calls, and broadcasts. Israel claims to have killed thousands of militants, with 81 of its soldiers reported dead.
