Israel Orders Evacuation of Humanitarian Zone in Gaza

ISRAEL: In a significant move, Israel's military has mandated the evacuation of a densely populated area in Gaza, identified as a humanitarian zone. This order, issued on Saturday, targets Khan Younis, particularly parts of Muwasi, a temporary camp sheltering thousands of displaced individuals. The evacuation is part of Israel's planned operation against Hamas militants.

The evacuation directive follows rocket fire that Israel attributes to the region. This is the second such order within a week in a designated area for Palestinians fleeing from other parts of Gaza. Many Palestinians have already been displaced multiple times amid Israel's ongoing air and ground campaign.

After the evacuation order on Monday, several Israeli airstrikes hit Khan Younis, resulting in at least 70 casualties, according to figures from Gaza's health ministry reported by Nasser hospital.

The area in question forms part of a 60-square-kilometer (approximately 20-square-mile) "humanitarian zone," where Israel has been directing Palestinians to seek refuge during the conflict. However, the Associated Press (AP) reports that much of this zone consists of tent camps with inadequate sanitation, medical facilities, and limited aid access. Estimates suggest that about 1.8 million Palestinians are currently taking shelter in this zone, which is more than half of Gaza's prewar population of 2.3 million.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 39,100 Palestinians, as reported by the territory's Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its tally. According to the United Nations, as of February, around 17,000 children in Gaza have become unaccompanied, a number that has likely increased since then.

The war commenced on October 7 with a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and approximately 250 hostages taken. Israeli authorities report that about 115 hostages remain in Gaza, with roughly a third presumed dead.

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