A deadly airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in Khan Younis, Gaza, has resulted in more evacuations ordered by Israel. The Israeli military said it targeted a militant command post, killing 19 fighters and causing a cloud of black smoke to billow over the war-torn region on Sunday. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million population multiple times, with hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in tent camps with limited resources.
Palestinians in Gaza feel unsafe as Israeli troops return to heavily damaged areas, accusing Hamas of hiding among civilians and launching attacks from residential areas. The latest evacuation orders in Khan Younis follow previous orders in the city, which has already suffered widespread destruction during an air and ground offensive. The Palestinian death toll from the 10-month-old war is nearing 40,000, with aid groups struggling to address the humanitarian crisis and warnings of famine from international experts.
The conflict began in October when Hamas-led militants breached Israel’s defenses, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people – mostly civilians – and the abduction of around 250. Efforts to reach a ceasefire and return the remaining hostages have been ongoing, with Egypt, Qatar, and the United States involved in mediation. The conflict has also raised concerns of triggering a regional war, with Israel exchanging fire with Iran and its allies in the region.
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