On 22 July 2024, Israel sent tanks and launched airstrikes on eastern Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 70 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, while more than 200 were injured.[1][2]
| July 2024 Khan Yunis attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Second Battle of Khan Yunis during the Israel–Hamas war | |
  Bani Suheila | |
| Location | Bani Suheila, eastern Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip |
| Date | 22 July 2024 |
Attack type | Airstrikes, tank shelling |
| Deaths | 70+ civilians |
| Injured | 200+ civilians |
| Perpetrator |  Israel Defense Forces
|
Background
editEarlier on 22 July, the Israel Defense Forces issued new evacuation orders after it claimed that there were renewed Palestinian militant attacks and rocket attacks from eastern Khan Yunis. Israel downsized the humanitarian zone where 1.7 million Palestinians took refuge and adjusted its boundaries, reducing it from 65 sq km to 48 sq km.[1]
Attack
editShortly after having issued the evacuation orders, Israel began its third assault on Khan Yunis, giving little time for Palestinians to find safety. Israeli tanks advanced for more than 2 km into Bani Suheila, forcing civilians to flee under fire.[3] At least 70 Palestinians were killed and 200 injured by tank shelling and air bombardment in Bani Suheila.[1]
An eyewitness reported that "No one told us to evacuate. They brought four floors crashing down on civilians", while another said that "It is like doomsday, people are fleeing under fire, many are dead and wounded on the roads.[1]
Aftermath and death toll
editThe Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 70 Palestinians were killed and more than 200 were injured.[4]
According to medics at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, the hospital was overwhelmed with patients, the wounded were being treated on the floor, and the situation was "out of control".[5] Nasser Hospital urged residents to donate blood due to the large number of casualties being rushed into the medical center.[1][6]
A resident of Gaza who lost several relatives during the attack reported "We are tired. We are tired in Gaza. Every day our children are martyred – every day, every moment".[5]
Reactions
editDomestic
edit
Hamas: Hamas denounced the attack, stating that it would not deter Palestinians from remaining "steadfast in their land".[3]
Israel: The IDF claimed that the attack was a response to renewed Palestinian militant attacks from eastern Khan Yunis and stated "Since this morning, the IAF and IDF artillery forces have struck more than 30 terror infrastructure sites in Khan Younis, including in the area from which a projectile was launched toward Nirim in southern Israel earlier today".[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (22 July 2024). "Israel sends tanks back into Khan Younis area, 70 killed after new evacuation order". Reuters. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ Loveluck, Louisa; Hassan, Jennifer (2024-07-23). "Israel orders evacuation of former Gaza safe area; U.N. aid convoy fired on". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
- ^ a b "'Like doomsday': 70 killed in Israeli tank shelling, strikes on Khan Younis". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
- ^ Gritten, David (22 July 2024). "Israel orders evacuation of part of Gaza humanitarian zone". BBC. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
- ^ a b "'Like doomsday': 70 killed in Israeli tank shelling, strikes on Khan Younis". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-07-23.
- ^ Michaelson, Ruth; Tantesh, Malak A. (2024-07-23). "Scores killed in Israeli attacks, medics say, after IDF orders evacuation of Gaza humanitarian zone". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-23.