The Israeli army, on Monday, ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians from much of Khan Younis.
The order signals that troops are likely to launch a new ground assault in the Gaza Strip’s second-largest city.
The order suggested that Khan Younis would be the latest target of Israel’s raids into parts of Gaza it had previously invaded in the war. This is as it pursues regrouping Hamas fighters.
Much of Khan Younis was destroyed in a long assault earlier this year.
But large numbers of Palestinians have moved back in to escape another Israeli offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city, Rafah.
The order came as Israel released the director of Gaza’s main hospital, Mohammed Abu Selmia, after holding him for seven months without charge or trial.
Israel held him over allegations the facility had been used as a Hamas command centre.
The director and other Palestinian health officials denied the allegation. He said he and other detainees were held under harsh conditions and tortured.
The decision to release Abu Selmia raised questions over Israel’s claims surrounding Shifa Hospital. Israeli forces have raided the hospital twice since the start of the war with Hamas.
His release triggered an uproar across Israel’s political spectrum.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office called it “a grave mistake.”
Government ministers and opposition leaders expressed outrage and insisted Abu Selmia played a role in Hamas’ alleged use of the hospital.
However, Israeli security services rarely unilaterally free prisoners if they have a suspicion of militant links.
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Khan Younis evacuation
The order suggested a new assault into the city was imminent. Israeli forces fought for weeks in Khan Younis earlier this year and withdrew, claiming to have destroyed Hamas battalions.
But in other places where the military has made similar claims, renewed raids have underscored Hamas’ capabilities.
Last week, the military ordered an evacuation from the north Gaza district of Shijaiyah. But intensive fighting has followed.
Netanyahu said on Monday that the military was “making progress toward ending the phase of the destruction of Hamas’ army”.
But he said forces will continue to “target their remains going forward”.
More fighting in the Khan Younis area could further hamper Palestinians’ access to much-needed potable water.
Included in the evacuation zone is a water line that Israel installed following criticism over its cutoff of water to the strip early in the war.
Also in the zone is the area surrounding the Kerem Shalom crossing, the major aid crossing to southern Gaza, and an aid route inside the territory that Israel has said it would safeguard.
Most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have fled their homes, with many displaced multiple times.
Israeli restrictions, fighting and the breakdown of public order have hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid. These are fueling widespread hunger and sparking fears of famine. (AP)
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