Israel issued a relocation order for southern Gaza’s Khan Younis residents on Sunday, following a deadly air strike on a school in Gaza City. The strike, which killed more than 70 people according to a local hospital director, has sparked renewed tensions in the region.
Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza, has responded to the incident by calling for a resumption of ceasefire talks based on previous plans rather than new negotiations. Last week, international mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the US urged Israel and Hamas to attend negotiations on a ceasefire and hostage release deal on 15 August.
Israel has agreed to send a team of negotiators to the meeting, after negotiations faltered last month due to the introduction of new terms to the framework presented by US President Joe Biden in May. The leaders of the UK, France, and Germany have also issued a joint call for talks to resume, stating that “there can be no further delay.”
In response to the escalating tensions, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, joining the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the region. Iran has also vowed to respond to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at the “right time” and in an “appropriate” manner, blaming the US for his death due to its support of Israel.
The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with Israel claiming that Hamas is using civilian infrastructure to plan and carry out attacks, while Hamas denies the accusations. The recent air strike on a school building has further heightened tensions, leading to the relocation order for residents of Khan Younis.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community is calling for a swift resolution to prevent further bloodshed and find a path to stability in the region. The resumption of ceasefire talks based on previous plans is seen as a crucial step towards de-escalating the situation and preventing further loss of life.
