It came after Israel ordered the evacuation of a part of a designated humanitarian zone in Gaza ahead of a planned strike on Khan Younis on Saturday. The order was made in response to rocket fire that Israel said originated from the area.
The military said it planned an operation against Hamas militants in the city, including parts of Muwasi, the crowded tent camp in an area where Israel has told thousands of Palestinians to seek refuge throughout the war.
Limited access to aid
It’s the second evacuation order issued in a week that has included striking part of the humanitarian zone, a 60-sq-km area blanketed with tent camps that lack sanitation and medical facilities and have limited access to aid, United Nations and humanitarian groups say.
Israel expanded the zone in May to take in people fleeing Rafah, where more than half of Gaza’s population at the time had crowded. According to Israeli estimates, about 1.8 million Palestinians are currently sheltering there after being uprooted multiple times in search of safety during Israel’s punishing air and ground campaign.
In November, the military said the area could still be struck and that it was “not a safe zone, but it is a safer place than any other” in Gaza.
Ceasefire negotiations
The US, Egypt, Qatar and Israel are scheduled to meet in Italy to discuss the ongoing hostage and ceasefire negotiations in the coming days.
CIA Director Bill Burns is expected to meet Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Abdul Rahman al-Thani, Mossad director David Barnea and Egyptian spy chief Abbas Kamel on Sunday, according to officials.