Israeli Official Urges South Gaza Residents To Relocate As Military Operations Loom
According to an official from the Israeli government, residents of the southern city of Khan Younis in Gaza should prepare to relocate to safer, western areas as military operations are expected to intensify in the south following attacks on the north. Mark Regev, an aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made the announcement during an interview with MSNBC on Friday.
The official said that although relocating will be challenging, it is crucial to avoid civilian casualties. This call could force hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled to the south to move again, potentially worsening the dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
Israel has vowed to eliminate the Hamas militant group, which controls the Gaza Strip, following a violent incursion into Israeli territory last month. Since then, Palestinians have been fleeing their homes in fear of airstrikes and ground offensives.
The health authorities in Gaza have reported more than 12,000 deaths, with 5,000 of them being children. Tensions have been steadily rising, with the United Nations warning of a catastrophic humanitarian situation.
Regev stated that the objective of the planned military operations in south Gaza is to oust Hamas fighters from underground tunnels and bunkers. The western areas of the Gaza Strip are closer to the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, allowing for quicker humanitarian aid deliveries to those who relocate.
With the war entering its seventh week, there are no signs of a ceasefire or humanitarian pause, as Israel continues to intensify its military campaign. The Israeli Defense Forces have announced that fuel deliveries and humanitarian aid will continue as needed.
Amid mounting international pressure, Israel has also agreed to allow fuel trucks into Gaza to help meet the basic needs of the population. This is seen as a critical move to address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the region.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with no immediate end in sight to the conflict. Calls for de-escalation and humanitarian assistance continue, but the fighting persists unabated.