IDF calls for evacuation of humanitarian zones in Khan Yunis

Intense air and artillery strikes have reportedly been taking place in the southern area of the Gaza Strip. On Monday, NGOs called on Europe’s foreign affairs ministers to undertake more effort to "put an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza’" 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ordered civilians on Monday to temporarily evacuate parts of the designated humanitarian zone in the region ahead of a new operation. According to the military, there has particularly been “significant terrorist activity and rocket fire” from eastern neighbourhoods of the city of Khan Younis.

The announcement was reportedly followed by intense Israeli air and artillery strikes in and around Khan Younis. The Hamas-run Health ministry in Gaza said that at least 37 people were killed and others were wounded. 

The situation was already dire in the area, where water and electricity are scarce. People moved back there recently after more than three months of operations. Now that Israel has announced its forces are to operate again in the area, Gazans will have to move to the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone. Al-Mawasi has been the site of several deadly incidents in recent months and displaced Palestinians told news agency AFP it was already full.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, departed for Washington on Monday to deliver a key speech. He is due to meet US president Joe Biden on Tuesday and address the US Congress the day after. The visit comes at a time when tensions are increasing. Aside from the fighting in Gaza, regional conflict is further flaring up, with Israel recently having targeted Yemen and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. 

^{Displaced Palestinians in Khan Yunis © PHOTO BASHAR TALEB / AFP}