Israel orders Gazans in Khan Younis to evacuate ahead of new attack

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli army issued immediate evacuation orders on Sunday for Palestinian residents in seven neighborhoods in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip ahead of a new military offensive in the area.

The orders came four days after the death of at least 225 people in an Israeli attack on areas designated as a “safe zone” for displaced Palestinians east of Khan Younis.

Military spokesman Avichai Adraee called on residents of Jort al-Lut, Al-Manara, Ma'an, Qizan al-Najjar, Qizan Abu Rashwan, Al-Salam, and Al-Hashash to “immediately evacuate to the humanitarian area” in al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis.

He claimed that the Israeli army will operate against Hamas operatives in these areas.

Early Sunday, the army claimed that six rockets were fired from southern Gaza into southern Israel.

According to Israel’s Army Radio, the rockets were launched from Khan Younis. The Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, saying it was in response to “Israeli massacres against the Palestinian people and resistance leaders.”

On Tuesday, the Israeli army withdrew from Khan Younis after an 8-day military operation.

According to Gaza’s government media office, at least 255 Palestinians were killed and hundreds injured in the Israeli offensive in the area, which has also caused massive destruction in the area.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an attack last October by Hamas.

Nearly 39,600 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 91,400 injured, according to local health authorities.

Almost 10 months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.

​​​​​​​*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala