Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 23 Palestinians on Tuesday, local health officials reported, as the Israeli military issued expanded evacuation orders affecting tens of thousands of residents across the region.
The military resumed its campaign against Hamas in Gaza a week ago, ending a two-month ceasefire. Since then, nearly 700 people, mostly women and children, have died in the attacks, according to Palestinian health authorities.
With Gaza’s population of 2.3 million already displaced multiple times over the past 18 months of conflict, residents are facing severe shortages of food and water, compounded by Israel’s suspension of aid deliveries earlier this month.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military ordered all residents of northern Gaza’s border towns to evacuate, citing Palestinian rocket fire originating from the area. Affected towns include Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and Shejaia, along with areas in the south, including Khan Younis and Rafah.
“For your safety, you must move immediately south to known shelters,” the military said in its evacuation orders, including for Jabalia, the largest of Gaza’s refugee camps. However, both Palestinian and UN officials have stated there are no truly safe areas left in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the offensive aims to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages it holds in Gaza, with about 24 believed to be still alive.
Hamas, which accuses Israel of violating the January 19 ceasefire agreement, confirmed it is cooperating with efforts mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to restore calm and finalize a three-phase ceasefire deal. However, Hamas sources suggest no significant breakthroughs have been made.
The latest round of violence follows the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of approximately 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent military assault on Gaza has claimed more than 50,000 Palestinian lives, according to local health ministry figures.