The Israeli army has widened its attacks in southern and central Gaza, with some of the heaviest fighting in the war seeing homes sheltering displaced Palestinians bombed, refugee camps hit and no safe place left to evacuate thousands of people already on the move for weeks.
Beginning early Wednesday morning, Israeli tanks, under intense aerial bombardment, initiated a significant advance towards the center of Khan Younis city from the eastern side. This development, as reported by Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud from Rafah in southern Gaza, compelled hundreds of residents to evacuate the area. The increased military activity and displacement underscore the escalating tensions and challenges faced by the local population in the affected region.
Israeli forces dropped leaflets ordering residents to evacuate, leading many to believe that the eastern areas of Khan Younis were the primary target. However, it appears the entire city is now under heavy bombardment. Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher reported that Israel views Khan Younis as a crucial Hamas stronghold with potential leader presence, but the military must proceed cautiously due to the possibility of captives being present. The military is gearing up for days of intense battle in Khan Younis, expecting the operation to extend into mid-January, with the next few days potentially bringing the heaviest fighting of the two-month war. The Israeli army
Hani Mahmoud emphasized that the options for Palestinians are severely limited, with the only potential, albeit difficult, option being to cross into Egypt. The ongoing heavy bombardment has forced people to move from central Gaza to Khan Younis and now to Rafah. He highlighted the extreme population density in this confined area, with over 1.5 million people squeezed into this space.
In addition, Al Jazeera’s Hind Khoudary reported relentless assaults on Deir el-Balah in central Gaza throughout the night. The area experienced continuous explosions, artillery shelling, and clashes, leading to the bombing of multiple homes. The intensification of attacks underscores the dire situation faced by the local population in various parts of Gaza.