Hundreds of Palestinians were forced to flee eastern Khan Younis on Monday as tank salvoes killed many in the nearby town of Bani Suhaila, just over a mile away. The casualties were rushed to Nasser hospital in the west of Khan Younis, where the ministry issued an urgent call for blood donations to treat the injured.
Reports from medics and eyewitnesses indicated that tanks had also entered Khan Younis, adding to the chaos and destruction in the area. This comes after a recent Israeli offensive in April and subsequent displacement of residents in May, only to be displaced once again this month.
Mahmoud Abu Saqr, a displaced resident, described the dire situation as he and his family sought refuge in the overcrowded humanitarian zone. He expressed frustration at the lack of resources and safety, highlighting the ongoing violence and displacement faced by the people of Khan Younis.
In response to the escalating conflict, Hamas called on the international community to intervene and stop the “systematic Zionist killing” of Palestinians. The Israeli military, on the other hand, claimed to be targeting areas with embedded terrorist infrastructure, adjusting the boundaries of the humanitarian zone accordingly.
Amidst the turmoil, the Israeli military confirmed the deaths of two more hostages in Gaza, further fueling tensions and calls for a ceasefire and hostage release deal. The situation remains volatile as negotiations continue and reports of further violence, including an incident involving a UN convoy, emerge.
As the conflict in Gaza persists, the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire continues to worsen, with no clear end in sight to the cycle of violence and displacement.
