Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, with the majority of casualties—eight people—reported in Beit Lahiya, a northern town that has been a focal point of military operations since October. Four additional fatalities were confirmed in Gaza City.
Amid these ongoing strikes, the Israeli military issued fresh evacuation orders for residents in the northern districts of Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza. The military cited the ongoing rocket fire from these areas as the reason for the evacuation. This prompted a rushed departure from families, who fled predominantly westward, often before dawn.
The Israeli military urged residents to “evacuate the area immediately and move to the humanitarian zone,” as stated in an official message on social media. However, both Palestinian and United Nations officials have contested the notion of a safe zone within Gaza, as much of the enclave remains devastated by the ongoing conflict. Since the war’s onset, Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been repeatedly displaced, with some forced to relocate as many as 10 times.
The escalation follows a major Hamas-led attack on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 250 hostages taken. Since then, Israel’s military campaign has led to the deaths of over 44,400 Palestinians, with countless injuries and widespread destruction throughout Gaza.