Israel's evacuation orders in the Gaza Strip have expanded, now covering two-thirds of the territory, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This amounts to approximately 246 square kilometers (95 square miles), impacting a significant portion of Gaza's population.
Before the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, the affected area was home to 1.78 million Palestinians, accounting for 77% of Gaza's population. The conflict was triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel. In an effort to avoid potential ground combat, Israel's military initially ordered Palestinians in the northern half of the territory to evacuate. Concurrently, Israeli aircraft continued to target the southern half, urging residents to seek shelter. Israel maintains that its operations exclusively target Hamas and holds the group responsible for civilian casualties, as it operates from within civilian sites.
Gaza health officials have reported a death toll of over 27,000 Palestinians as a result of the war. The count does not distinguish between combatants and civilians, but it is estimated that two-thirds of the casualties are women and children.
As the conflict progressed, evacuation orders were extended to encompass parts of the south, including Khan Younis and its surrounding areas—presently the focus of Israel's ground offensive. Consequently, tens of thousands of people have fled and continue to flee from these regions. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed in its recent report on the situation in Gaza that more than half of the territory's population, which amounts to 2.3 million people, is currently concentrated in the town of Rafah on the border with Egypt and its nearby areas.
The dire situation in Gaza is alarming. The Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip has highlighted significant humanitarian concerns. Approximately 25% of the population is said to be experiencing extreme starvation, and the displacement of 85% of the residents has resulted in hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in makeshift tent camps.
The international community continues to express its concern and engage in efforts to address the crisis. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently met with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of his fifth visit to the Middle East since the start of the war. The United States has warned of further retaliation if Iran-backed militias persist in their attacks.
The conflict has also had ripple effects beyond the region. In Berlin, a Jewish student was hospitalized following an argument related to the Middle East conflict, underscoring the far-reaching impact of the ongoing crisis.
For more information on the Israel-Hamas war and its developments, readers can visit https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war to access additional coverage by the Associated Press.
As the situation evolves, the international community remains vigilant in addressing the urgent humanitarian needs and striving for a peaceful resolution to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
