Israeli tanks advanced into northern parts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Wednesday, while Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 Palestinians across the enclave, according to local medics. The escalation followed new evacuation orders issued by the Israeli military after reports of rocket launches from the area.
In central Gaza, medics reported that 11 people, including six children and one medic, were killed in three airstrikes. Additionally, nine people died in Rafah, near the Egyptian border, from Israeli tank fire. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued their aerial assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya for the fifth consecutive day, injuring three medical staff members. The hospital director described the situation as dire, with drones dropping shrapnel-filled bombs on those attempting to move.
In Gaza’s northern towns of Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun, residents reported the destruction of numerous homes, claiming that Israeli forces are using forced evacuations and heavy bombardments to establish a buffer zone. Israel’s military maintains that its operations aim to prevent Hamas fighters from regrouping in the area, which had been previously cleared of militants.
The ongoing conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack on Israeli communities, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and more than 250 hostages taken. Since then, over 44,400 Palestinians have been killed, and much of Gaza has been destroyed. Despite the heavy toll, Israel reached a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah last week, halting fighting in Lebanon, which has also been affected by the Gaza war.