Israeli army says Palestinians can return to areas evacuated for offensive

By Anadolu staff

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army on Friday said Palestinians can return to their areas evacuated for a military offensive that lasted for over two weeks.

In a statement, the army spokesman said forces had withdrawn from several parts of the cities of Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip after "completing their mission" in these areas.

The army declared new "safe" zones in the northern and central Khan Younis, as well as some areas between Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah, in the central Gaza Strip. The army claimed: "From now on, these areas will be classified as humanitarian zones."

Following the army's withdrawal from Khan Younis areas, photos and videos published by Palestinian social media activists showed the scale of destruction caused by the Israeli attacks.

Israel has continued its offensive on the Gaza Strip following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The onslaught has resulted in over 40,600 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children, and over 93,800 injuries, according to local health authorities.

An ongoing blockade of Gaza has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered a halt to military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar