BTN News: On Monday, the Israeli military told people in southern Gaza, including places like Khan Younis and Rafah, to leave their homes. Many people, already forced to go before, had to find new places to stay. The orders suggest that the military might start a new ground operation soon.
Gaza European Hospital Moves Patients to Stay Safe
Gaza European Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the last hospitals still open, is in the area where people have to leave. The hospital moved patients, even those in intensive care and babies in incubators, to other places because they are afraid of attacks. “It is a very chaotic, difficult, and terrible situation,” said Dr. Saleh al Hams, the deputy director. This was the third time they had to move.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said the hospital workers did over 3,000 surgeries, treated many burn cases, and helped injured people recover. Even though some ICRC staff stayed overnight to help, the hospital could not work well because many workers had to leave.
Red Cross Moves Staff and Patients to Other Hospital
The ICRC is now moving its staff and patients to the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah-Mawasi. The group said thousands of Palestinians had to leave their homes after the Israeli orders, saying that “there is no safe place” in Gaza.
Israel Faces Hardships in Military Operations but Aims to Achieve Its Goals
A new ground operation in Khan Younis shows how tough it is for Israel to remove Palestinian militants from Gaza. The Israeli military left Khan Younis in April after months of heavy fighting that ruined much of the city. Despite over eight months of war, militants still hold Israeli hostages and fire rockets at Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the military is close to finishing its fight against Hamas in Gaza. He promised that Israel would reach its goals: bringing back the hostages and destroying Hamas’ military and government abilities.
Continuous Attacks Affect Civilians and Military Actions
On Monday, the Israeli military said about 20 projectiles were fired from Khan Younis at nearby Israeli towns. The military then attacked the places where the projectiles were launched. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group said it fired rockets at five Israeli towns near the Gaza border.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the emergency room at Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis was full of patients after Gaza European Hospital had to evacuate. Patients from the crowded Nasser Hospital were also sent to Al Amal.
Confusion Over Evacuation Orders Creates Chaos
After the initial evacuation order, the Israeli military said it did not apply to patients or medical staff at Gaza European Hospital. Despite this, videos on social media showed patients being moved on stretchers through the streets.
Large Number of People Moving and Serious Humanitarian Issues
Louise Wateridge, a spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, said a “massive” number of people were leaving evacuation zones. She estimated that around 250,000 people would leave after the latest order.
As Israeli attacks on Khan Younis continued, at least eight people were killed, and 32 injured overnight, according to Nasser Hospital.
Desalination Plant and Water Problems in Gaza
Khan Younis has a desalination plant run by the UN that provides water to the city, Deir al-Balah, and al-Mawasi, where many displaced people live. Gaza’s drinking water supply has gone down a lot since the desalination plants had to shut after an Israeli siege following a Hamas attack on October 7.
On Tuesday, COGAT and the Israeli military said they would connect a new power line to the Khan Younis desalination plant. This would increase water production from 5,000 to 20,000 cubic meters.
Last year, the UN said the average water use in Gaza dropped to three liters per person per day. The World Health Organization says people need at least 7.5 to 15 liters per person per day for survival and hygiene in emergencies.
