Israel Imposes Evacuation in Khan Younis Ahead of Major Offensive

The Israel Defense Forces have ordered a mass evacuation in Khan Younis as they prepare for a significant military operation against Hamas.

In a critical escalation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have directed residents of Khan Younis to evacuate in anticipation of an "unprecedented attack." This order is a part of the military's ongoing efforts under the newly launched Operation Gideon's Chariots. Individuals are being instructed to move toward the western region of al-Mawasi as the IDF characterizes the area as a "dangerous combat zone." Military spokesman Avichay Adraee emphasized the need for immediate evacuation for safety reasons, blaming terrorist organizations for the ongoing turmoil.

The urgency of this evacuation order marks one of the largest of its kind in recent months. In the last 24 hours alone, hospitals in the region reported over 100 casualties due to renewed hostilities. One resident expressed her fears, stating that the evacuation was her "worst nightmare," while another, already under an evacuation mandate in central Gaza, lamented the lack of safe havens, voicing her reluctance to relocate further.

According to IDF sources, the goal of this new offensive is to significantly diminish the operational capabilities of militant groups in Gaza, referencing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assertion that Israel plans to establish control over the entirety of the Strip. Netanyahu described the military engagement as "massive fighting," with reported progress seen following airstrikes on 160 targets within Gaza.

The conflict has further escalated with reports of an Israeli strike hitting a warehouse of medical supplies at the Nasser Hospital while it was treating casualties from other attacks, drawing condemnation from humanitarian organizations. The Medical Aid for Palestinians charity expressed distress about the destruction of their resources during ongoing conflicts.

In a separate incident, Israeli special forces reportedly disguised as women infiltrated a home in Khan Younis, leading to the death of a man identified as Ahmad Sarhan, a prominent figure in the popular resistance groups aligned with Hamas. His family was subsequently arrested after the confrontation.

While the IDF continues to pursue its military objectives, including hostages' release, a representative group for families of captives expressed serious concerns regarding the welfare of those still detained, citing accounts of deteriorating conditions following military actions.

Following a 10-week blockade, Israel has announced it will allow a "basic amount of food" into Gaza, aiming to avert a possible starvation crisis as hostilities persist. The conflict, ignited by Hamas-led attacks on October 7, has resulted in at least 1,200 Israeli casualties and 251 hostages taken, while more than 53,000 Palestinians have lost their lives amid Israel's military operations in Gaza.