In a renewed military operation, Israeli tanks have re-entered Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza Strip, forcing thousands of Palestinians to evacuate. This development comes nearly 10 months after the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Families from eastern Khan Younis were seen fleeing the area, using various modes of transportation including vehicles, donkey carts, and motorcycle rickshaws. Many sought refuge in Al-Mawasi, a coastal area designated as a safe zone by Israeli forces. However, some evacuees expressed concerns about the safety of this area, citing previous attacks.
"We don't know where are we going, to the beach to Al-Mawasi, any place we will stay at. There is no safe place here. They struck everywhere, they already struck Al-Mawasi and many people were killed. There is no safety, the safety is with God."
The Israeli military reported targeting dozens of Hamas positions in Khan Younis and Rafah, near the Egyptian border. They claim to have seized arms depots, destroyed infrastructure, and killed numerous fighters. This operation is part of Israel's ongoing efforts to neutralize Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007.
Amidst the escalating violence, international mediators are making renewed efforts to broker a ceasefire. A new round of talks is scheduled for August 15, 2024, with representatives from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar attempting to revive negotiations. Previous attempts at establishing a lasting ceasefire have been unsuccessful since a brief one-week truce in November 2023.
The conflict has had devastating consequences for the Gaza Strip, which is known for its high population density and limited access to resources. According to Palestinian health officials, nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict, with thousands more feared dead under the rubble. The ongoing blockade and military operations have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where unemployment rates are among the highest in the world.
As the conflict continues, concerns are growing about a potential broader regional escalation. Recent events, including the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut, have heightened tensions in the area.
Despite the extensive damage to Gaza's infrastructure, Palestinian sources report that Hamas fighters continue to mount guerrilla attacks and ambushes against Israeli troops. The ongoing resistance comes as Israel claims to have killed or incapacitated more than 14,000 Hamas fighters, approximately half of their initial estimate.
As the situation remains volatile, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the conflict that has devastated the Gaza Strip and its population for nearly a year.