- Palestinians evacuated to southern Gaza amid an Israeli evacuation order, yet southern Khan Younis faced ongoing airstrikes, resulting in casualties and rescue effort.
- The death toll now stands at 2,215 Palestinians, including 724 children, with 324 fatalities and 1,000 injuries reported in the last 24 hours. Overcrowding and resource shortages are straining the south as displaced individuals seek shelter.
Thousands of Palestinians have been attempting to relocate to southern Gaza in response to Israel’s directive to evacuate the northern areas ahead of a planned ground offensive. However, those who have sought refuge in southern Khan Younis have found no respite from Israel’s aerial bombardment. Warplanes struck a four-story building on Saturday, resulting in casualties and prompting local residents to rush to rescue those trapped in the rubble.
The conflict’s toll continues to mount, with at least 2,215 Palestinians, including 724 children, having lost their lives, and 8,714 others sustaining injuries during the escalating violence. In the past 24 hours alone, 324 Palestinians were killed, and 1,000 more were wounded in Israeli air raids over Gaza, as reported by the health ministry.
There is now an overwhelming influx of evacuees into southern Gaza. Reports indicate that the situation is dire, with both Khan Younis and Rafah strained beyond capacity. Food and water shortages have become pressing concerns, leaving the local population in distress.
Pictured: Palestinians fleeing Gaza, credit: Reuters
Families in these areas have extended a warm welcome to those fleeing the north. However, the living conditions have become exceedingly cramped, with up to 20 to 30 people occupying single apartments. Desperation has driven more individuals to reach out to relatives and friends in search of any available space. The situation has led to some 270,000 displaced people taking shelter in 102 schools managed by the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA.
No humanitarian aid has yet reached Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, and the region faces critical shortages of medical supplies and fuel required to power hospitals.
Photo credit: AFP
