What’s happening
As military operations against Hamas intensify in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s military has issued evacuation orders for significant portions of Khan Younis, a major city in southern Gaza, citing an expansion of its ground offensive. This directive comes in the wake of a collapsed ceasefire and follows a campaign of air strikes in response to a severe cross-border attack by Hamas in early October.
Why it matters
The escalation in the south, where Israel pledges to operate with maximum force, signals a potentially devastating increase in hostilities that have already claimed thousands of lives. The humanitarian crisis is mounting, with local hospitals overwhelmed by casualties and a growing number of displaced residents seeking safety.
By the numbers
An estimated 167,000 residents have been advised to evacuate from six areas of Khan Younis. Gaza’s Health Ministry reports nearly 15,900 deaths since the conflict’s onset, and the United Nations warns of a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding.
On the ground
Witnesses have reported the presence of Israeli tanks to the east of Khan Younis, and a surge of casualties, many of them women and children, has inundated Nasser Hospital. The local population has swelled, with many seeking refuge in the south after fleeing the north of Gaza.
International response
Under heavy international pressure, notably from the United States, to minimize civilian harm, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are disseminating evacuation maps with QR codes to guide Gazans to safer areas. However, reports indicate that many are unaware of or unable to access this information due to limited internet coverage, calling into question the efficacy of these measures.
The bigger picture
This development underscores the complexity of the conflict in Gaza, where military objectives, civilian safety, and geopolitical pressures intersect. It also highlights the challenges in effectively communicating and coordinating during warfare, especially in densely populated regions with inadequate infrastructure.
This story was first published on bbc.com.