Israel Expands Evacuation Orders in Gaza Amid Intensifying Conflict

Israel expanded evacuation orders in southern Gaza, forcing tens of thousands to flee amid continued military strikes. An airstrike on a shelter in Gaza City killed 90 people. UN officials remarked on the dire situation for residents. The conflict has led to significant casualties and displacement.

Israel expanded evacuation orders in Khan Younis within the southern Gaza Strip overnight, compelling tens of thousands of Palestinian residents and displaced families to leave under the cover of darkness. Explosions from tank shelling amplified the urgency as the Israeli military targeted militants from Hamas, who allegedly used these areas to stage attacks and launch rockets.

On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza City school, sheltering displaced Palestinians, resulted in at least 90 casualties, drawing international condemnation. The Israeli military claimed the strike targeted a Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant command post, a claim disputed by the groups.

In eastern and central Khan Younis, the evacuation orders created significant upheaval, marking a substantial increase in such mandates amid the 10-month-old conflict. Residents received warnings via multiple channels, urging them to move to new humanitarian zones deemed safer.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, highlighted the dire situation in Gaza. He noted that many evacuees could only carry minimal belongings and were moving to already overcrowded shelters. They have lost everything and are in desperate need of assistance.

The Israeli military reported striking around 30 Hamas targets in the past 24 hours. The fighting has displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million people, reducing much of the enclave to rubble, with humanitarian zones also coming under attack.

Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have died since the Israeli offensive began last October, with Gaza health officials reporting civilian casualties predominantly. Israel has lost 329 soldiers in the conflict, which started after a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took over 250 hostages.

Tens of thousands of Gaza residents evacuated overnight, moving towards Mawasi and overcrowded Deir Al-Balah. Residents expressed exhaustion and despair, repeatedly fleeing their shelters amid continued hostilities.