Israel said Tuesday that its troops had entered Gaza second largest city as intensified bombardment sent streams of ambulances and cars racing to hospitals with wounded and dead Palestinians, including children, in a bloody new phase of the war.
The military has stated that its forces are currently situated “in the heart” of Khan Younis, marking the initial target in the expanded ground offensive into southern Gaza. Israel’s objective is to dismantle Hamas. The ongoing battles represent the most intense day of engagements since the commencement of the ground offensive over five weeks ago, with significant firefights also occurring in northern Gaza.
This southward assault raises concerns about an escalation in displaced Palestinians and a deterioration of Gaza’s already dire humanitarian situation. The U.N. reported that more than 80% of Gaza’s population, totaling 1.87 million people, have been forced from their homes. Ongoing fighting is hindering the distribution of essential supplies like food, water, and medicine, primarily in a small portion of southern Gaza. New military evacuation orders are further restricting people into increasingly smaller areas in the south. Gaza second largest
The intensity of bombardments has increased across the entire territory, even in areas designated as safe for Palestinians. In the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah, located just north of Khan Younis, a strike on Tuesday obliterated a house where numerous displaced people had sought shelter. The aftermath revealed a tragic toll, with at least 34 people confirmed dead, including a minimum of six children. This account comes from an Associated Press reporter present at the hospital, who personally counted the bodies.