More Palestinians Displaced as Israel Fights Hamas in Southern Gaza – Reuters

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

DOHA/GAZA – The Gaza Health Ministry has issued a warning that medical facilities in Khan Younis, the southern Gaza city currently at the center of an Israeli offensive, are on the verge of collapse. This alert comes as fighting intensifies throughout the Palestinian territory.

Residents report that Israeli planes and tanks have also attacked areas in Gaza City to the north, where Israeli troops are reportedly withdrawing. The sounds of combat have been heard in nearby towns such as Beit Lahiya and Jabalia.

According to Israel’s military, “intensive battles” are ongoing in Khan Younis, where they claim to have eliminated terrorists and discovered large stockpiles of weapons. The armed factions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad have stated that their fighters engaged with Israeli forces in various locations across the enclave overnight, with Hamas claiming to have destroyed two Israeli tanks in Khan Younis.

This surge in violence comes as United Nations officials and humanitarian organizations call on countries to reconsider halting their financial support for UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, which is a crucial source of aid in Gaza. At least nine countries have paused their funding in response to allegations from Israel about UNRWA staff’s involvement in the October 7 Hamas attacks.

Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra reported that 165 Palestinians were killed and 290 injured in the last 24 hours, bringing the total fatalities from the ongoing conflict to 26,422. This figure does not separate militants from civilians.

The Israeli government claims to have lost 220 soldiers during the ground offensive and asserts that they have killed 9,000 fighters in Gaza, a figure refuted by Hamas.

A strike on a residential building in a suburb of Gaza City resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, according to health officials. As night fell, Palestinian health officials reported that the death toll from an Israeli air strike on a multi-story house in the Al-Nusseirat refugee camp had risen to 20, while the Israeli military stated they were investigating the matter.

In western Gaza City, residents reported that Israeli naval boats opened fire on coastal areas, although no injuries were reported. Other areas of the enclave experienced intensified fighting with heavier Israeli airstrikes.

Israel has declared its military campaign aims to dismantle Hamas following their unprecedented cross-border attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 253 individuals, as reported by Israeli officials.

The Israeli military has established a closed military zone at the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza after right-wing demonstrators and families of hostages attempted to block aid shipments, claiming it merely helps Hamas.

Protests demanding more action from the Israeli government to secure the release of hostages have been growing, as ongoing ceasefire talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar have shown little progress due to disputes between Israel and Hamas.

Healthcare systems in Khan Younis are reported to be failing, with Israel continuing to bombard areas surrounding the two main hospitals, hampering rescue efforts. “There is a complete failure of the healthcare system at Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals,” said Qidra.

Israel contends that it is taking measures to ensure hospitals remain operational and minimize civilian casualties. They accuse Hamas of operating in densely populated areas, including near hospitals, and using civilians as human shields, a claim that Hamas denies, even as Israel releases supporting evidence.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society indicated that medical teams at Al-Amal Hospital could not conduct surgeries due to a lack of oxygen supplies.

Many families continued to flee Khan Younis, taking alternative routes toward Rafah, near the Egyptian border, or to Deir Al-Balah in the north. Others headed to a region called Al-Mawasi, where residents described over-crowded conditions.

“It is as crowded as it can get,” said Abu Raouf, an electrician and father of four. “People have lost their ability to think or feel; they’re moving like robots. It’s only a matter of time before Israel sends tanks here too. There’s no safe place.”

Reem Abu Tair fled Khan Younis with her three children, one of whom is an infant. “We managed to escape the bombings and destruction around us, but now we are left in the cold. If a child doesn’t die from the bombing, he will die from the cold,” she lamented.