Israeli forces carried out deadly strikes Tuesday on southern Gaza and battled militants after the army again ordered Palestinians to leave areas near the besieged territory’s border with Israel and Egypt. Witnesses reported intense bombing and shelling around Khan Yunis, southern Gaza’s main city, where a hospital source said shelling killed eight people and wounded more than 30 others.
This bombardment followed a rocket barrage at southern Israel claimed by the militant group Islamic Jihad. An order was issued to evacuate most areas east of the cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah, including the towns of Al-Qarara and Bani Suhaila. The evacuation order followed six consecutive days of intense battles in the Gaza City district of Shujaiya.
The Israeli military stated that its forces were operating in Shujaiya, central Gaza, and Rafah. Over the past day, the Israeli air force struck approximately 30 terror targets across Gaza. In central Gaza, strikes hit the Nuseirat refugee camp, resulting in at least one dead, a child.
The fighting continues nearly nine months into the war that was sparked by Hamas’ attack on Israel. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned a “significant downshift” in Israeli operations in Gaza, but it remains to be seen. The war has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis and the threat of starvation for Gaza’s 2.4 million people. Limited progress has been made towards a truce and hostage release deal.
