On Wednesday, a UN training center housing tens of thousands of displaced people was struck, resulting in “mass casualties” as Israeli forces advanced through the main city of southern Gaza, Khan Younis.
Palestinian officials reported that Israeli forces also cut off access to the main hospitals in southern Gaza and closed the primary escape route for residents and refugees.
The Israeli military attributed the attack to the area’s significance as a base for Hamas militants, emphasizing the goal of dismantling Hamas’ military presence in western Khan Younis.
Despite earlier talks of a ceasefire and progress, the situation remained volatile, with Israeli tanks pushing through Khan Younis, targeting the long-standing refugee camp and important facilities like Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals and a UNRWA training center. The director of UNRWA affairs in Gaza reported escalating fighting, buildings ablaze, and mass casualties at the UNRWA Training Center.
Gun battles were reported in the west of the city, with the military claiming to have eliminated numerous gunmen. The Gaza health ministry highlighted the isolation of hospitals, resulting in serious complications for patients.
The Israeli military had ordered the evacuation of the area the day before, affecting half a million people, but the escape route was blocked by advancing tanks.
Palestinian health officials reported a significant death toll, with over 25,700 Gazans killed in the war, including 210 in the previous 24 hours, and thousands feared trapped under destroyed buildings.
