The Israeli army has ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians from the eastern half of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, signaling potential significant military action in the area. This evacuation comes after Israel's earlier offensive in the city, which had left much of Khan Younis devastated. Despite the destruction, many Palestinians had returned to the area, fleeing from ongoing conflicts in Gaza's southernmost city, Rafah.
This directive aligns with recent statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who declared that Israel is nearing the completion of its mission to eliminate Hamas' military capabilities in Gaza. Residents of various neighborhoods in eastern Khan Younis have reported receiving audio messages from Israeli phone numbers, instructing them to vacate their homes immediately.
On Monday, the Israeli military confirmed that rockets fired into Israel had originated from the Khan Younis area. The militant group Islamic Jihad, an ally of Hamas and supported by Iran, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire targeting several Israeli communities near the Gaza border. Despite a volley of about 20 rockets, there were no casualties, as the Israeli air defenses intercepted some, while others landed in southern Israel without causing damage.
🔴 *The Israeli military is calling on innocent Palestinians of Khan Younis to head toward the designated "humanitarian zone"
— Nakba (@VictorNakba) July 1, 2024
The move comes after this morning. A barrage of at least 20 rockets was fired from the Khan Younis area at Israel. pic.twitter.com/RS6XvSpkPF
The rocket attack triggered sirens in multiple Israeli communities, including Ein Hashlosha, Kissufim, Nirim, Sufa, Sde Avraham, Dekel, Yated, Holit, and Nir Oz, many of which have already been evacuated due to the heightened threat. The Israeli military responded with artillery fire, targeting the launch sites in Gaza.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, during a recent visit to Rafah, emphasized that Hamas is significantly weakened by the relentless Israeli operations. He asserted that Hamas, cut off from its weapon supply routes and facing constant pressure, is now a fractured force running out of resources and time.
The Israeli military is calling on Palestinians in eastern neighborhoods of Khan Younis to evacuate the area and head toward the designated "humanitarian zone."
— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) July 1, 2024
Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic-language spokesman, publishes a list of the zones that need to be evacuated… pic.twitter.com/8yP84nrgFc
In a strategic move preceding the offensive in Rafah, the IDF seized the Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt and discovered 25 smuggling tunnels. These tunnels were crucial for Hamas to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip, and their closure represents a significant blow to the group's operational capabilities.
The recent escalation highlights the ongoing tension and the complex military and political dynamics in the region. Israel's actions, coupled with its strategic gains against Hamas, underscore its commitment to neutralizing threats and securing its borders. Meanwhile, the humanitarian impact on Gaza's civilian population remains a pressing concern, as the cycle of conflict continues to affect the region profoundly.
