Israeli forces have pushed into northern parts of Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip, killing at least 47 people across the enclave. The attacks, which include tank fire and airstrikes, come after Israel issued new evacuation orders saying there had been rocket launches by Palestinian militants from the area.
Palestinian medics report that some civilians were killed while queuing for bread. Residents say families left their homes and headed westward toward the nearby humanitarian-designated area of Al-Mawasi due to the threat of shells crashing near residential areas.
The Israeli military says its strikes targeted senior Hamas militants operating from a humanitarian zone in Khan Younis, but Palestinian officials claim there are no safe areas left in Gaza. Most of the 2.3 million people have been displaced multiple times, with many forced to flee their homes due to ongoing violence.
At least 17 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike at a tent encampment in Al-Mawasi, while three houses in Gaza City were hit by airstrikes, killing at least 10 people. Three additional airstrikes on areas in central Gaza killed 11 people, including six children and a medic. The death toll from tank fire in Rafah near the Egyptian border is also reported to be nine.
The conflict has already resulted in over 44,400 Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction of infrastructure. A ceasefire was agreed last week with Hezbollah but the fighting continues in Gaza.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-forces-advance-khan-younis-area-southern-gaza-20-killed-across-enclave-2024-12-04