A deadly airstrike on a school-turned-shelter in the Gaza Strip has led to more evacuations in the city of Khan Younis, as the Israel-Hamas war rages on. Israel claimed to have targeted a militant command post, killing 19 fighters, resulting in a cloud of black smoke over the region. The ongoing conflict has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million population multiple times, with many seeking shelter in overcrowded tent camps or damaged buildings.
Palestinians in the besieged territory feel nowhere is safe, as Israel accuses Hamas of hiding among civilians and launching attacks from residential areas. The latest evacuation orders in Khan Younis include parts of a humanitarian zone where rockets were allegedly fired from. The city, already heavily destroyed in previous offensives, saw tens of thousands flee again last week.
The Palestinian death toll from the 10-month-old war is approaching 40,000, with aid groups struggling to address the humanitarian crisis and warnings of famine from international experts. The conflict began with a Hamas-led militants’ attack on Israel’s border communities, resulting in civilian deaths and abductions. Mediation efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have not yet led to a ceasefire or the return of hostages. The war has also escalated tensions with Iran and its allies in the region.
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