Israel's Offensive in Southern Gaza Puts Civilians at Risk

Israel has ordered Palestinians in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, to evacuate their homes, indicating that military operations may soon move towards the south of the Gaza Strip. Israel aims to eliminate Hamas, following its attack on Israel on October 7th. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims that over 12,000 people have been killed by Israel since then. Israeli missiles struck a residential building in Khan Younis, killing 26 people. Israel has been dropping leaflets urging people to seek shelter, but it is unclear if there are enough facilities to accommodate potentially over a million evacuees. Southern Gaza has been facing a humanitarian crisis since October 7th, with shortages of water, food, and fuel. Israel has launched constant air strikes and a ground incursion into northern Gaza, causing widespread destruction. The UN estimates that at least 1.5 million people in Gaza are internally displaced.