Israel issues evacuation order for Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza

The Israeli government has issued an order for Palestinians in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, to evacuate their homes. The city has been overwhelmed with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled from northern Gaza when Israel began its ground operation against Hamas. This latest order indicates that the military operations could soon extend into southern Gaza. The Israeli government has stated that its aim is to eliminate Hamas, following their attack on Israel on October 7th, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 were taken hostage. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has claimed that over 12,000 people have been killed by Israel since then, including 5,000 children. On Saturday, Israeli missiles struck a residential building in Khan Younis, resulting in the death of 26 people, according to a local health official. Israel has not yet issued a comment on the incident, but it has been distributing leaflets in the area, urging civilians to seek shelter. Mark Regev, an adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has emphasized that the Israeli government does not want to see civilians caught in the crossfire. Regev stated that the Israeli military will need to enter the city in order to remove Hamas fighters from their underground tunnels. He added that if people relocate westwards, towards the Mediterranean Sea, they will not have to move again. Regev mentioned the possibility of setting up tents and a field hospital in the designated areas, although no specific plans have been announced. It is also unclear if these facilities would be able to accommodate the potentially large number of evacuees. Regev pointed out that the western areas are close to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, which would allow for humanitarian aid to be delivered quickly. Since October 7th, when Israel imposed a full-scale blockade, southern Gaza, like the rest of the strip, has been facing a humanitarian crisis, with shortages of water, food, and fuel, as well as concerns about healthcare facilities and sanitation. Israel has been carrying out frequent airstrikes across Gaza, and there has also been a ground invasion in northern Gaza, causing significant destruction, including in Gaza City, the largest city in the enclave. According to the UN, at least 1.5 million people in Gaza have been internally displaced, and overcrowding is a major issue. Many have sought shelter in UN facilities, hospitals, churches, and public buildings. The ongoing conflict has centered around al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where Israel claims that Hamas is operating a command-and-control center, an allegation that Hamas denies. Israel has yet to provide substantial evidence to support its claim. On Saturday, hundreds of people reportedly left al-Shifa Hospital, with one journalist who fled mentioning that they raised their hands and carried white flags. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied ordering an evacuation of the hospital, but stated that they were providing a secure route for those who wanted to leave, following a request from the hospital director. It is reported that 120 patients, including premature babies, remain at the hospital. There are also reports that a UN school-converted-shelter in northern Gaza has been attacked, resulting in numerous casualties. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reported that at least 50 people were killed in an Israeli strike on the Al-Fakhoura school. An IDF spokesperson stated that they could not confirm that it was an IDF strike and were investigating the incident. The BBC, while unable to independently verify the events, has confirmed footage showing many injured individuals at the location, which is situated in the Jabalia refugee camp.