Israel has issued new evacuation orders for Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip late on Sunday, prompting a fresh wave of displacement as the military targets militant group Hamas and other factions in the area. The evacuation orders are the latest in a series that have led to widespread displacement in Gaza, marking the highest number since the onset of the 10-month conflict. This has drawn criticism from Palestinians, the United Nations, and humanitarian organisations, highlighting the severe reduction of safe zones and the dire conditions faced by displaced individuals.
According to the Deir Al-Balah municipality, the evacuation orders have displaced around 250,000 people. On Monday, Israeli military strikes reportedly killed at least seven Palestinians, with fatalities occurring in Deir Al-Balah, the Al-Nuseirat camp, and the southern city of Rafah. The new orders have forced many, including patients, to evacuate Al-Aqsa Hospital, the primary medical facility in Deir Al-Balah, which had been a refuge for hundreds of thousands of residents and displaced individuals.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that an explosion near the hospital had caused significant panic, leading the organisation to consider suspending some medical services while trying to maintain essential care. The hospital, already operating beyond capacity, now has only 100 patients remaining, including seven in intensive care.
The conflict’s escalation has dimmed hopes for a resolution, with recent diplomatic efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States failing to bridge the divide between Israel and Hamas. Negotiations in Cairo have stalled, with neither side agreeing to proposed compromises. Hamas rejected new conditions set by Israel and dismissed claims of an imminent ceasefire deal as political manoeuvring ahead of the US elections.
More than 40,000 Palestinians have been reported killed in the conflict, with the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people, suffering severe destruction and shortages of essential supplies. The conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and over 250 hostages, according to Israeli sources.
Reuters
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