In a brutal new phase of the conflict, Israel has said that its soldiers had invaded Gaza's second-largest city as increased bombing sent ambulances and automobiles running to hospitals with dead and wounded Palestinians, including children.
As the initial objective of the extended ground incursion into southern Gaza, which Israel claims intends to eliminate Hamas, the IDF announced that its soldiers were "in the heart" of Khan Younis. According to military authorities, violent firefights were also occurring in northern Gaza, and they were fighting in what they called the "most intense day" of fighting since the ground operation started more than five weeks ago.
The assault into the south is pushing a new wave of displaced Palestinians almost two months into the war, raising alarm from relief groups that they can’t keep up because insufficient aid supplies are entering Gaza. The UN said 1.87 million people — more than 80 percent of Gaza’s population — have been driven from their homes. New evacuation orders by the Israeli military are squeezing people into ever-smaller areas of the tiny coastal strip’s southern portion.
The intensity of bombing has increased throughout the region, including in places where Palestinians are advised to seek shelter. A house that was providing refuge to several displaced persons was damaged by a hit on Tuesday in the town of Deir Al-Balah, which is located in central Gaza, just north of Khan Younis. At least six children were among the dead, as reported by an Associated Press reporter who tallied the bodies at the hospital.
As the initial objective of the extended ground incursion into southern Gaza, which Israel claims intends to eliminate Hamas, the IDF announced that its soldiers were "in the heart" of Khan Younis. According to military authorities, violent firefights were also occurring in northern Gaza, and they were fighting in what they called the "most intense day" of fighting since the ground operation started more than five weeks ago.
The assault into the south is pushing a new wave of displaced Palestinians almost two months into the war, raising alarm from relief groups that they can’t keep up because insufficient aid supplies are entering Gaza. The UN said 1.87 million people — more than 80 percent of Gaza’s population — have been driven from their homes. New evacuation orders by the Israeli military are squeezing people into ever-smaller areas of the tiny coastal strip’s southern portion.
The intensity of bombing has increased throughout the region, including in places where Palestinians are advised to seek shelter. A house that was providing refuge to several displaced persons was damaged by a hit on Tuesday in the town of Deir Al-Balah, which is located in central Gaza, just north of Khan Younis. At least six children were among the dead, as reported by an Associated Press reporter who tallied the bodies at the hospital.
