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Israeli tanks extend reach into southern Gaza; thousands flee

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Israeli tanks extend reach into southern Gaza; thousands flee
July 24, 2024
Article Body Text Palestinian civilians in the eastern neighborhoods of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza strip, evacuated their homes on Tuesday as Israeli tanks moved into the area following an evacuation directive from Israel. Israeli tanks advanced into the town of Bani Suhaila in Khan Younis, and surrounding districts endured airstrikes for a second consecutive day, compelling tens of thousands of civilians to flee for safety. Israel stated that its recent military operation, part of a series of offensives across Gaza in recent weeks, aimed to prevent the militant group Hamas from reorganizing. According to Gaza health authorities, Israeli military airstrikes since Monday have resulted in the deaths of at least 80 Palestinians in the Khan Younis region, contributing to a total death toll of over 39,000 in nearly 10 months of conflict, based on Gaza’s official reports. <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/polio-at-high-risk-of-spreading-within-gaza-strip/7709985.html"><figure><img src="https://gdb.voanews.com/01000000-0aff-0242-321c-08dcab4b7d1a_w1600_r0_n_s.jpg" /></figure></a><a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/polio-at-high-risk-of-spreading-within-gaza-strip/7709985.html">Polio at high risk of spreading within Gaza Strip</a> According to Palestinian medics, one person was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the area on Tuesday. They also said that most of the 39,000 total have been civilians. The Israeli military stated that Hamas and other groups had utilized those areas to launch renewed attacks, including rocket fire. Many of the newly displaced families reported spending the night on the streets, unable to find shelter due to overcrowding in western Khan Younis and central Gaza areas. “We left without [taking] any water, food or mattress,” one displaced woman, Tamam al-Qarra, told The Associated Press. Her relative, Hamda al-Qarra, said they are sleeping on the ground outside the Nasser hospital, the largest hospital in southern Gaza. “Take us back to our homes. We have had enough of war,” she said. The U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, described the situation as “impossible” on X and said, “People are exhausted from the continuous displacement and unlivable conditions and they are trapped in increasingly small and overcrowded areas.” The Israeli military said many militants were killed in Khan Younis by tanks and in combat. Residents of Khan Younis reported that tanks remained positioned deep within Bani Suhaila, east of downtown Khan Younis. Witnesses observed soldiers conducting searches in the main cemetery of the town, while others took control of rooftops of tall buildings, intermittently firing their weapons toward western areas, according to residents. In the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, where an Israeli airstrike on a house resulted in the deaths of six Palestinians, some residents said they received evacuation orders from Israeli security personnel. Several families chose to relocate to the Nuseirat camp to the west. <figure><img src="https://gdb.voanews.com/5607b107-3c60-42a7-9e81-ff1dc31a1798_cx0_cy6_cw100_w1600_r1_n_s.jpg" /><figcaption>A man squats next to a fire, as Palestinians, who fled the eastern part of Khan Younis, were ordered by the Israeli army to evacuate their neighborhoods, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, July 22, 2024.</figcaption></figure> On Tuesday, residents reported that Israeli forces had demolished several homes in Rafah. Israel stated its operation since May aimed to dismantle the remaining Hamas units in the area. Israeli military forces conducted a raid in a Palestinian city in the occupied West Bank, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals, according to statements Tuesday from the Israeli military, Hamas and the Palestinian Health Ministry. The ministry reported that among the deceased were three militants and two women. According to the Israeli military, a drone hit militants in the West Bank city of Tulkarem overnight, killing Ashraf Nafa, a local senior Hamas operative. Mohammed Awad, another alleged militant, also was killed. The military said that both had taken part in attacks on Israeli soldiers. The Israeli military subsequently declared the conclusion of its operation in Tulkarem. For years, the Israeli military has conducted frequent nighttime operations in the West Bank, which have escalated during the Gaza conflict. According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, over 500 Palestinians have died in the resulting violence. The militant Hezbollah group in Lebanon attacked Monday night with drones and rockets two military posts in Israel after a drone strike killed a member of the group’s force. Hezbollah said it initiated attacks on Mount Meron using explosive drones and a Burkan rocket at a post near the village of Margliot. They explained that they attacked in retaliation for an Israeli drone strike last week on the southern village of Shaqra where a member of Hezbollah’s Radwan Force was killed. Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since early October have led to the deaths of 450 people, including 90 civilians and combat medics. The airstrikes have also led to the death of 21 Israeli soldiers and 13 civilians, according to AP. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he will be introducing a cease-fire deal that would free hostages in Gaza. He’s currently in Washington, where he plans to address Congress on Wednesday as well as meet with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump later this week. Egypt, Qatar and the United States are in support of Israel and Hamas making a deal that would free remaining hostages. “Unfortunately, it will not take place all at once; there will be stages. However, I believe that we can advance the deal,” Netanyahu said. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Content Type Text
Language English
NewsML Media Topics Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing Available No
Network VOA
Embargo Date July 24, 2024 03:47 EDT
Byline VOA News
Brand / Language Service Voice of America - English