Israel Orders New Khan Younis Evacuation, Signaling It Will Re-Invade

Israel has ordered Palestinians to evacuate from the eastern portion of Khan Younis, signaling its forces are preparing to re-invade the southern Gaza city, which has mostly been destroyed by the previous Israeli assault.

Many of the over one million Palestinian civilians who fled the Israeli assault on Rafah have been sheltering in Khan Younis and are being forcibly displaced again. According to The Associated Press, Palestinians have been told to go to the nearby al-Mawasi camp on the coast, which Israel has declared a “safe zone.” But like other so-called safe zones in Gaza, the camp has come under repeated Israeli attacks.

Israeli forces withdrew from Khan Younis in April and left the city in complete ruins. Municipal officials estimated the Israeli assault destroyed more than 80% of the buildings in Khan Younis and left the rest mostly uninhabitable.