Israel Orders Civilians To Leave Part Of Gaza Humanitarian Zone Ahead Of Military Operation
- Israeli military ordered a temporary evacuation of civilians
- The evacuation follows intense Israeli airstrikes
- Health ministry urged residents to donate blood
The Israeli military has ordered a temporary evacuation of civilians from a designated humanitarian zone in southern Gaza, ahead of a planned operation against Palestinian armed groups.
The evacuation order comes after intense Israeli airstrikes and artillery strikes in and around Khan Younis, which have reportedly killed at least 14 people, including six children and four women.
The Gaza health ministry has urged residents to donate blood to help treat the wounded.
The humanitarian zone, which stretches along the coast from al-Mawasi to Deir al-Balah, has been overcrowded with tents and lacking basic services, according to the UN. Israel has carried out several deadly strikes in the zone in recent weeks, targeting Palestinian fighters.
Meanwhile, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has accused Israeli forces of firing at a marked UN convoy heading to Gaza City, severely damaging an armored car.
The Israeli military has said it is investigating the incident. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 38,980 people since October, according to the Gaza health ministry.
