Israel Evacuates Humanitarian Zone in Gaza Amid Conflict

On Friday, the Israeli army announced a new evacuation order for areas in southern and central Gaza that had previously been designated as humanitarian safe zones. The military claimed these regions were being utilized by Hamas to launch mortars and rockets into Israel. Residents in the vicinity of Khan Younis and Deir Al-Balah, where many have sought refuge from the ongoing violence, received warning flyers and text messages regarding the evacuation. The Palestinian health ministry reported casualties from a separate incident, stating that one Palestinian was killed and another critically injured when Israeli settlers opened fire in the village of Jit. This incident has drawn condemnation from Norway, which criticized the Israeli government's recent actions as "extreme and unreasonable." Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide announced the closure of Norway's Representative Office in the West Bank, emphasizing that the decision would not hinder Norway's commitment to supporting a viable Palestinian state. As the conflict escalates, the Palestinian death toll in Gaza has surpassed 40,000, according to health authorities. Concerns are mounting over potential retaliatory actions from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which could further destabilize the region. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted threats of hate-fueled violence within the U.S., linking them to the ongoing conflict. Hamas officials have stated that Israel's military operations are hindering progress toward a ceasefire, while international organizations like ActionAid have expressed outrage over the high number of Palestinian casualties resulting from the conflict.