Israeli Military Orders Gaza Evacuation Amid Humanitarian Concerns

The Israeli military has issued a directive for a widespread evacuation of Palestinians from large parts of Khan Younis, indicating a possible upcoming ground operation into Gaza’s second-largest city.

This action comes after earlier military interventions in Gaza with the objective of targeting Hamas positions. Despite the previous destruction in Khan Younis, many Palestinians had returned to the area before this latest offensive began.

Mohammed Abu Selmia, the director of Gaza’s largest hospital, was released after seven months in Israeli custody. He was accused of helping Hamas, but he and others denied these accusations. His release has raised questions about Israel’s reasons for attacking Shifa Hospital in previous military operations, which caused significant damage.

Amidst political uproar in Israel over Abu Selmia’s release, the evacuation order affected the eastern half of Khan Younis and the southeast Gaza Strip. Civilians fled with whatever belongings they could carry, seeking safety in designated zones like Muwasi, where conditions are crowded and unsanitary.

Israeli forces have justified these operations as part of their ongoing campaign against Hamas, claiming progress in dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities. However, renewed fighting in Khan Younis and other areas suggests ongoing challenges and humanitarian concerns, including access to water and aid routes.

The release of Abu Selmia and other detainees back into Gaza highlighted widespread allegations of torture and harsh conditions in Israeli detention centers. These claims, including beatings and inadequate medical care, echoed similar grievances from other Palestinians in Israeli custody.

The situation underscores broader humanitarian crises in Gaza, where most of the population has been displaced multiple times amid ongoing conflict and Israeli restrictions on aid. International voices, including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, have called for a ceasefire, citing the perilous conditions faced by Palestinian civilians.