Hamed area in Khan Younis hit by Israeli military after evacuation warning for Gazans

KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA, PALESTINE - AUG. 16, 2024: Israel launched an attack on the Hamed area in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, shortly after issuing an evacuation warning, on Friday (Aug. 16). The Israeli military had earlier called for the evacuation of areas east of Deir al-Balah, as well as the Khan Younis neighborhoods of al-Qarara, al-Mawasi, Jela, Hamed, and al-Nasr. Number of Palestinians are relocating to safer areas in response to Israel's new evacuation orders on Friday for residents in several areas of central and southern Gaza Strip, which have been previously designated as “humanitarian safe zones.” On Tuesday, UNRWA reported that approximately 84% of Gaza's territory has been under evacuation orders since October 7. Israel's continued onslaught on Gaza has drawn international condemnation for violating a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths and has left vast areas of Gaza in ruins, exacerbated by a severe blockade of food, clean water, and medicine. The International Court of Justice has accused Israel of genocide, ordering it to halt military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge before the area was invaded on May 6.(Footage by Doaa Albaz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)