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Palestinians Flee Gaza’s Khan Younis Amid Israeli Airstrikes

Written by Jerry Alomatu on July 2, 2024

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Palestinians are fleeing eastern districts of Gaza’s Khan Younis after Israel issued evacuation orders, following overnight Israeli strikes that resulted in casualties. Witnesses reported multiple airstrikes in and around Khan Younis, resulting in eight deaths and more than 30 injuries, according to medical sources.

Patients and medical staff from the European Gaza Hospital have been evacuating after directives from Gaza’s health ministry, although the Israeli military has not issued orders specifically for the hospital. The Red Cross has assisted in transferring patients to other medical facilities.

Louise Wateridge of UNRWA in Gaza expressed concern over the displacement, noting that people were already struggling to survive in severely damaged buildings following previous military operations in Rafah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded to projectiles launched from Khan Yunis towards Israel by targeting terror-related sites, including weapons storage facilities and operational centers. The IDF accused Hamas of violating international law by using civilian infrastructure and populations as shields.

The armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack, the largest in months from Gaza into Israel. Khan Younis had already suffered extensive damage earlier this year during Israeli operations against Hamas, prompting many residents to return to a city now heavily impacted again by the current conflict, forcing another wave of displacement amid fears of further escalation.