Israel escalates conflict with air and ground assault in Gaza
- Israeli forces conducted around 120 airstrikes targeting Hamas infrastructure across Gaza.
- Deir al-Balah faces an evacuation order that could displace up to 80,000 additional residents, amid an already strained humanitarian situation.
- The ongoing conflict and military actions continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving millions confined to limited areas.
In recent days, escalating violence in Gaza has led to military operations by Israeli forces targeting Hamas infrastructure. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported conducting approximately 120 airstrikes within a 24-hour period on various locations across the Gaza Strip, including northern and southern regions. In southern Gaza, ground troops focused on dismantling structures associated with Hamas that were perceived as threats to soldiers. This escalation coincided with a significant humanitarian crisis; the UN indicated that evacuation orders in Gaza now affect almost 88% of the area, confining over two million individuals to a mere 12% of the territory. Already, around 30,000 people have been displaced, and a new evacuation order could displace an additional 80,000 individuals from Deir al-Balah, which is undergoing intense military activity. Residents in affected areas have been urged to relocate south to Khan Younis where conditions are already strained due to mass displacement and previous Israeli strikes. Additionally, the military actions came in the context of growing tensions following a deadly attack by Hamas on Israeli communities on October 7, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages. This complex situation underscores the dire humanitarian implications as conflicts persist and options for safe evacuation become increasingly limited.