Deadly fighting grinds on in Gaza’s Khan Yunis
Israel continues its intensive assault on the city of Khan Yunis in Gaza, with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas reporting numerous casualties amid the heavy bombardment and urban combat. The Israeli military asserts that Khan Yunis, the hometown of Hamas’s Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, is encircled, linking him to the October 7 attacks that ignited the conflict.
The relentless bombardment of Khan Yunis, as witnessed by an AFP journalist, is marked by frequent strikes, while Hamas reports fierce clashes in various parts of the city. The fighting has dangerously approached hospitals housing displaced individuals, with the health ministry confirming at least 50 casualties in Khan Yunis over the past 24 hours.
Israel’s military notes the elimination of several militants in close-quarters combat, targeting both central Khan Yunis and northern Gaza. Reports from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza reveal graves with names scrawled in crayon, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
As the conflict intensifies, civilians are fleeing Khan Yunis by any means available, leaving their belongings behind. The war originated from the October 7 attacks by Hamas and other Gaza militants, leading to widespread casualties and the seizure of hostages. Israel, vowing to crush Hamas, initiated a relentless military offensive resulting in a significant number of casualties, according to the Palestinian territory’s health ministry.
International concerns have risen following a UN building in Khan Yunis being struck, resulting in additional casualties. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) criticized attacks on civilian sites as “utterly unacceptable,” particularly those encircling hospitals, trapping staff, patients, and displaced individuals.
Despite mounting calls for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains steadfast, declaring the war will persist. Egypt and Qatar have mediated in the conflict, yet concerns about wider escalation loom. The Gaza war has also triggered violence involving Hamas allies, such as Yemen’s Huthis, raising global economic concerns and prompting the International Court of Justice to examine a genocide case against Israel brought by South Africa. The court’s ruling on Friday may influence the trajectory of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
In an ongoing offensive, Israel continues its intensive assault on the city of Khan Yunis in Gaza, with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas reporting numerous casualties amid the heavy bombardment and urban combat. The Israeli military asserts that Khan Yunis, the hometown of Hamas’s Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar, is encircled, linking him to the October 7 attacks that ignited the conflict.
The relentless bombardment of Khan Yunis, as witnessed by an AFP journalist, is marked by frequent strikes, while Hamas reports fierce clashes in various parts of the city. The fighting has dangerously approached hospitals housing displaced individuals, with the health ministry confirming at least 50 casualties in Khan Yunis over the past 24 hours.
Israel’s military notes the elimination of several militants in close-quarters combat, targeting both central Khan Yunis and northern Gaza. Reports from Deir al-Balah in central Gaza reveal graves with names scrawled in crayon, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
As the conflict intensifies, civilians are fleeing Khan Yunis by any means available, leaving their belongings behind. The war originated from the October 7 attacks by Hamas and other Gaza militants, leading to widespread casualties and the seizure of hostages. Israel, vowing to crush Hamas, initiated a relentless military offensive resulting in a significant number of casualties, according to the Palestinian territory’s health ministry.
International concerns have risen following a UN building in Khan Yunis being struck, resulting in additional casualties. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) criticized attacks on civilian sites as “utterly unacceptable,” particularly those encircling hospitals, trapping staff, patients, and displaced individuals.
Despite mounting calls for a ceasefire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains steadfast, declaring the war will persist. Egypt and Qatar have mediated in the conflict, yet concerns about wider escalation loom. The Gaza war has also triggered violence involving Hamas allies, such as Yemen’s Huthis, raising global economic concerns and prompting the International Court of Justice to examine a genocide case against Israel brought by South Africa. The court’s ruling on Friday may influence the trajectory of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.