ALBAWABA - According to the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), around 250,000 Gazans have been affected by Israel's latest evacuation orders in Khan Younis and are headed west.
Louise Wateridge, UNRWA Senior Communications Officer, described evacuation orders as "another devastating blow to the humanitarian response, as well as disastrous for the individuals and families on the ground", emphasizing that making decisions such as where to go is "now impossible".
As she was attending the UN briefing from Central Gaza virtually, Wateridge stated that the UN Agency estimates that around 250,000 people have been impacted by these orders. "Of course, as usual, we expect these numbers to grow," she stated.
"Our understanding so far is people are going towards the west, so that is towards the coast, but we will have more information on this throughout the day and as this unfolds," she responded to a question on the possible route of people fleeing the area.
On Monday, the Israeli army ordered residents of eastern Khan Younis to leave immediately, alleging that the region had become a "dangerous combat zone".
The army instructed civilians to go to humanitarian zones in the western section of the city, known as the Al-Mawasi neighborhood.
Israel has received widespread censure for continuing its harsh onslaught on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by the Palestinian organization Hamas, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 37,925+ people, with more than 87,141+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
