In the past 24 hours, Israeli attacks have claimed at least 25 Palestinian lives across Gaza.
Since October 7, Israeli forces have killed 1.8 percent of Gaza’s population, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. The majority of the victims, 75 percent, are under 30 years old. The surge in violence has driven tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee Khan Younis, leaving them to sleep on sidewalks and streets without food or water.
The situation worsens as Israel has expanded evacuation orders in Khan Younis, covering districts in the center, east, and west. This represents one of the most extensive evacuation measures in the ongoing ten-month conflict. The Israeli military justifies these evacuations as necessary to target Hamas militants, who supposedly use these areas to launch attacks and fire rockets.
The Israeli military has intensified its operations, claiming recent strikes targeted Hamas militants who allegedly use Khan Younis as a base for attacks. One notable strike hit a Gaza City school where displaced individuals sought refuge, killing at least 90 people and drawing international condemnation. Israel asserts that its strikes target Hamas and Islamic Jihad command posts, while these groups reject such claims as pretexts for broader assaults.
Escalating Crisis In Khan Younis
Khan Younis now faces one of the largest evacuations in the conflict. Israeli authorities have instructed residents to move to newly designated humanitarian zones, threatening military action for non-compliance. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reports that displaced individuals, carrying minimal belongings, are forced into overcrowded shelters with severe shortages.
During the past 24 hours, the Israeli military has reported targeting approximately 30 Hamas military sites, including missile launch positions and weapons depots. In retaliation, the Islamic Jihad armed wing has fired mortar bombs at Israeli positions in the eastern areas of Khan Younis. Additionally, an airstrike near the Khan Younis market resulted in further casualties, with four Palestinians killed and several others injured.
High Casualties And Overcrowded Shelters
The Gaza Health Ministry estimates that nearly 40,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since the conflict erupted. According to the ministry, the majority of these fatalities are civilians, though Israel contends that at least a third are militants.
With Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants largely displaced, the territory has become a wasteland of destruction. Areas designated as humanitarian zones, such as Al-Mawasi in Khan Younis, have not provided the promised safety and have been subjected to Israeli airstrikes. This has led to even greater overcrowding in other parts of Gaza, where displaced families are now fleeing.
The continuous cycle of displacement has left many Palestinians feeling trapped and hopeless as they seek refuge amid ongoing violence.
News Sources: Al Jazeera and Reuters.
