Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as thousands of families face severe famine and displacement due to ongoing Israeli military operations. The Israeli Army issued new evacuation orders for areas in southern Gaza, including eastern Khan Younis and Rafah, forcing many already displaced residents to seek new shelter. The European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the last standing hospitals in the territory, had to move patients and medical equipment to other facilities to avoid bloodshed. This marks the hospital's third evacuation.
Escalating Conflict and Humanitarian Impact
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that hospital staff have performed over 3,000 surgeries and treated hundreds of burn cases, but the hospital is now unable to operate effectively due to the evacuation of many staff members. The ICRC plans to move its team and patients to the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah-Mawasi. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched attacks on targets in Khan Younis, including a weapons depot and other terrorist structures, following the firing of projectiles towards Israeli communities. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with at least 25 Gazans and two Israeli soldiers killed in the last 24 hours.
Thousands of Palestinians have been displaced, and the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) estimates that about 250,000 people will need to leave evacuation zones following the latest orders. The situation is described as chaotic and incredibly difficult, with many displaced multiple times. The UN has labeled the forced displacement as illegal and highlighted the lack of safe places in Gaza.
The Khan Younis area, home to a UN-run water desalination plant, has seen a sharp decline in drinking water supply due to the closure of desalination plants following the siege imposed by the Israeli military. Israel plans to connect a new power line to the Khan Younis desalination plant to increase drinking water production from 5,000 to 20,000 cubic meters. However, the average water consumption in Gaza remains critically low, far below the World Health Organization's recommended minimum.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a severe humanitarian crisis, with thousands of families facing famine and displacement. The Israeli Army's latest evacuation orders have forced many residents in southern Gaza to seek new shelter, exacerbating the already dire situation.
- The European Gaza Hospital in Khan Younis, one of the few remaining operational hospitals, has been evacuated for the third time, leaving it unable to function effectively. The ICRC has reported that the hospital staff have performed over 3,000 surgeries and treated hundreds of burn cases, but many staff members have been evacuated, crippling the hospital's operations.
- The IDF has launched attacks on targets in Khan Younis following the firing of projectiles towards Israeli communities, resulting in significant casualties. The UNRWA estimates that about 250,000 people will need to leave evacuation zones, with many displaced multiple times. The UN has condemned the forced displacement as illegal and highlighted the lack of safe places in Gaza.
- The water supply in Gaza has been severely affected by the closure of desalination plants following the Israeli military siege. Israel plans to increase drinking water production by connecting a new power line to the Khan Younis desalination plant, but the average water consumption in Gaza remains critically low.
