Mass Displacement and Casualties as Israel Targets Hamas in Khan Younis

The war goes on, as Hamas continues to hide among the population, forcing Israel to target where the terrorists are.

Israel’s recent ground assault on Khan Younis, targeting alleged Hamas positions, has resulted in numerous Palestinian casualties and mass displacement. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a reduction in the humanitarian zone, compelling residents to evacuate due to suspected Hamas entrenchment. This operation followed similar actions in northern and central Gaza, aimed at thwarting Hamas’s reestablishment efforts.

IDF Announces Shrinks Humanitarian Area in Gaza Strip Amid Escalating Conflict

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced changes to the Humanitarian Area in the Gaza Strip due to significant terrorist activity and rocket fire from the eastern part of the designated zone.… pic.twitter.com/vYeMU7JjdF

— OSINT Aggregator (@AggregateOsint) July 22, 2024

Witnesses observed exhausted Palestinians fleeing Khan Younis, expressing frustration not only with Israel but also with Hamas and neighboring Arab nations. The IDF reported significant airstrikes on Hamas infrastructure, including weapon storage, observation posts, and tunnels. They claimed to have killed dozens of terrorists in Rafah through air and ground combat, although these assertions couldn’t be independently verified.

The conflict began on October 7, following a Hamas attack on southern Israel, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 250 abductions. In retaliation, Israeli strikes in Gaza have claimed the lives of 39,090 Palestinians and injured 90,147, as reported by Gaza’s Ministry of Health. These figures also remain unverified.

In Khan Younis, the Hamas-run media office reported 89 fatalities and 263 injuries from the recent operation, with almost 200 buildings bombed. Dr. Mohammad Saqer from Nasser Medical Complex noted that the hospital had issued 75 death certificates since Monday morning, mostly for women and children. The hospital is overwhelmed with over 200 injuries, many in serious condition, and expects the death toll to rise.

Footage captured by a CNN stringer showed thousands of evacuees, predominantly women and children, leaving Khan Younis on foot or by donkey carts. Amid the chaos, a woman urged the camera to document their plight, while children cried and ran barefoot through devastated streets. The sound of nearby gunfire intensified the panic.

Medical staff at Gaza’s Nasser Hospital say that the situation at the medical facility was “out of control” after Israel issued new orders for Palestinians to evacuate (again) from some areas of Khan Younis and surrounds.

With Israel’s reinvasion of the city and its… pic.twitter.com/W1xv8up3BZ

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) July 23, 2024

Mohammad Abdul Jawad recounted how the Israeli army ordered evacuations across multiple neighborhoods, leaving residents with nowhere safe to go. “We left everything behind. There is no safe place in Gaza,” he lamented, describing the unbearable heat and lack of resources.

Some evacuees directed their anger towards Arab states for their perceived inaction. Um Hazem Sammoun questioned the Arab leaders’ absence as she walked with her children, unsure of their destination. Another woman criticized Hamas for the constant evacuations and lack of basic necessities, suggesting that their forced displacement might please Hamas.

A visibly frustrated man addressed Hamas leaders, questioning their motives and the suffering inflicted on the people. A mother, Riham Al Agha, echoed this sentiment, expressing exhaustion from repeated evacuations and the continuous loss of children.

Despite widespread anger towards Hamas, many also blamed Israel for their plight. Abu Sleiman, a displaced man, criticized the Israeli military’s brutality, accusing them of targeting civilians indiscriminately.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) highlighted the dire conditions in Gaza, noting that new evacuation orders exacerbated the already severe displacement and suffering. The IDF continued to issue warnings, urging civilians to move to the shrinking humanitarian zones.

Video shows hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza fleeing from eastern Khan Younis after Israel launched new attacks.👎😡

Source: Al Jazeera pic.twitter.com/CVXIGKZ6bg

— Ruzz (@raz818ruzz) July 23, 2024

The Gazan Civil Defense Directorate reported that the humanitarian zone had been reduced to 28 square kilometers, compressing 1.7 million people into an extremely limited area. They also accused the IDF of targeting rescuers during evacuation efforts.

Major Points:

• Israel’s ground assault on Khan Younis targets Hamas, causing mass casualties and displacement.
• IDF reduced the humanitarian zone, prompting widespread evacuations.
• The conflict began after a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.
• Gazan authorities report high Palestinian casualties, though figures remain unverified.
• Evacuees express anger towards Israel, Hamas, and Arab states for their dire situation.

Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News