The intensification of operations by the Israeli armed forces on Wednesday saw tanks enter Khan Younis deeper into the southern Gaza Strip and aerial bombardment across the strip. These operations caused the local medical sources to report at least 34 Palestinians’ deaths.
Local sources in Khan Younis revealed that Israeli tanks were trespassing in the center and more populated areas of Khan Younis while the Israeli military has been ordering people to evacuate houses in the eastern areas of the Strip. There are cases whereby people, especially families, attempted to flee to safety, only to be held within their compound.
In the past few days, for the first time since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, Israel has issued more evacuation orders than at any other time in the over 11-month-long conflict. While liberties have increased criticisms about scarce of safe Palestinians, the United Nations,, and Humanitarian organizations criticized this move because the few safe areas that are left are hard to find by civilians.
The Israeli military said that these evacuations were required since Hamas and other groups were attacking from these areas by firing rockets at Israel. Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they were fighting alongside Israeli troops in different areas of Gaza using anti-incarnate rockets and mortars.
According to the Gaza health ministry, over 40, 500 Palestinians have been killed because of this war. The brightly lightened area of high population density has been affected, and almost the population of about 2. 3 million residents multiple time displaced and in severe shortages of food and health products.