Israeli strikes kill 20 in southern Gaza following evacuation orders

By Hosni Nedim

GAZA, Palestine (AA) - At least 20 people were killed in Israeli attacks in the southern Gaza Strip shortly after Israel issued new evacuation orders on Monday, local media reported.

On Telegram, Al-Aqsa TV channel said: “20 martyrs fell and several were injured in airstrikes and artillery shelling on towns east of Khan Younis.”

Israeli fighter jets also conducted a strike targeting a site in the village of Qizan an Najjar in the city, the channel added.

The attacks came after the Israeli army issued new orders earlier in the morning for Palestinians in the eastern neighborhoods of Khan Younis to “evacuate immediately” and move towards the newly established humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi.

In a statement, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed that “the presence of multiple military operations and rocket fire from the eastern part of the humanitarian zone has made staying there dangerous.”

- Urgent call for blood donations

Meanwhile, Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis issued an urgent call for blood donations through a statement published by Gaza's Ministry of Health, citing a severe shortage of blood units for the injured and patients within the facility amid the latest Israeli operations in Khan Younis.

Israeli military orders for Palestinians to evacuate immediately from areas deemed combat zones and move to the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi do not guarantee their safety.

Two weeks ago, the Israeli army committed a massacre in Al-Mawasi, which it claimed was safe, resulting in the deaths of 90 Palestinians and the injuries of 300 in a series of airstrikes targeting tents and displacement shelters.

Following the bombing in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed in a press conference that the target was the military leader of Hamas, Mohammed Deif, and his deputy, Rafiq Salama. However, he admitted there were no confirmations of their deaths.

Hamas denied the Israeli claims that the strike targeted Deif, Salama, or any of its leaders.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas.

Nearly 39,000 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 89,700 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over nine months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

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

*Writing by Mohammad Sio