Israel has ordered a mass evacuation of the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah and neighboring Khan Younis, with residents forced to leave immediately for a humanitarian zone due to “intense operations” by Israeli forces. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hamas, with a two-month ceasefire between them having ended.
According to the UN human rights office, the evacuations have failed to meet international law standards, citing inadequate accommodation and hygiene conditions for those displaced. Israel claims it is evacuating civilians to protect them from Hamas fighters who are accused of using them as human shields.
The conflict has resulted in over 1,000 deaths since March, with the territory’s health ministry reporting more than 50,350 people killed in Gaza during the ongoing war. The UN warns that food and medical supplies are running out for the 2.1 million population due to Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid deliveries.
Residents have described the situation as dire, with many forced to flee without adequate transport or shelter. Haifa Duhair, a displaced resident, said she was forced to leave her home on foot with her baby daughter and three other young children, citing “shrapnel in it and broken windows” that made their home uninhabitable.
The conflict has seen increased violence, including deadly air strikes across Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people, including three children. The Israeli military claims to be targeting Hamas fighters but acknowledges the risk of civilian casualties during operations.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq80xqg31x8o