Palestinians forcefully displaced from Khan Younis to al-Mawasi

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen English
2 Jul 2024 11:07
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The Israeli occupation forces forcefully displaced thousands from the Gaza Strip's second-largest city and the former alleged humanitarian zone of Khan Younis.

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Palestinians displaced by the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip flee from parts of Khan Younis following forced displacement orders on Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP)

Palestinians that had been forcefully displaced to the second-largest city in the Gaza Strip, Khan Younis, and those residing there, have been ordered to "evacuate", once again, as the Israeli occupation forces continue to show that nowhere in the Gaza Strip is safe.

"For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to the humanitarian zone," Israeli occupation spokesperson Avichay Adraee, posted on X, announcing the imminent evacuation from the former humanitarian zone.

The forced displacement order came for the eastern half of Khan Younis and a large swath of the Gaza Strip’s south-eastern corner as they were directed to meet displaced Palestinians from Rafah in the al-Mawasi region.

Palestinians in Khan Younis also reportedly received audio messages from Israeli occupation phone numbers ordering them to leave their homes.

"We received a message on our mobile phones" to evacuate, said Zeinab Abu Jazar who had been displaced to Khan Younis earlier in the war.

In turn, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the new "evacuation" order "just shows yet again that no place is safe in Gaza" for Palestinian civilians, stressing, "It’s another stop in this deadly circular movement that the population in Gaza has to undergo on a regular basis."

It is important to note that al-Mawasi has not been safe, with airstrikes and shells targeting the area routinely.

On June 29, Al Mayadeen's correspondent confirmed that Israeli occupation tanks fired intensively at refugee tents in the al-Mawasi area, northwest of Rafah, where the occupation forces set fire to the refugee tents.

Palestinians endure intense bombardment amid sudden evacuation order

Earlier, on June 27, AFP reported that Palestinians were facing intensified bombardment on Thursday amid calls from the Israeli occupation forces to evacuate Gaza City's eastern district of al-Shujaiya.

Witnesses and medical personnel told AFP that the area witnessed heavy fighting and numerous casualties. Overnight and into the day, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed at least six individuals in northern Gaza, while attacks continued in Khan Younis to the South.

Witnesses in al-Shujaiya described a scene of terror as Israeli military vehicles approached amid ongoing airstrikes and shelling. Residents were urged to evacuate to a designated "humanitarian zone" approximately 25 kilometers south of the area.

Footage captured residents fleeing on foot, carrying their belongings through debris-laden streets.

The occupation army suddenly entered the Shujaiya neighborhood in Gaza city without warning, killing and displacing people, there are many massacres against the displaced citizens. pic.twitter.com/YoU4z3WRCb
— Mustafa Barghouti @Mustafa_Barghouti (@MustafaBarghou1) June 27, 2024

The Palestinian Resistance responded to the situation, accusing Israeli forces of launching a ground invasion and reporting casualties among fleeing civilians.

Dr. Muhammad Ghurab from Gaza City's Al-Ahli hospital reported receiving seven fatalities, including four children, and numerous injuries as Israeli forces advanced eastward in al-Shujaiya.

Omar Sukar, a resident, recounted witnessing strikes as locals gathered for drinking water. "The water truck had just arrived when the shelling began," he told AFP.

Amid the turmoil, a displaced Gazan woman expressed devastation over the ongoing violence and displacement of families. "We lost our children and homes, and we keep fleeing from place to another."