By Ezekiel David
Israel issued new evacuation orders for Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip late on Sunday, adding to the mass displacement seen since the conflict’s escalation.
International organisations denounced the directives, which targeted locations where Hamas and other armed groups operate, and also increased worries about the number of safe havens for civilians declining.
The Deir Al-Balah municipality reported that 250,000 people have been displaced due to Israeli evacuation orders.
The latest orders forced evacuations from Al-Aqsa Hospital, the main medical facility in Deir Al-Balah, where thousands had sought refuge.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported an explosion near the MSF-supported hospital, causing panic and forcing the organisation to consider suspending wound care.
“This situation is unacceptable,” MSF stated, emphasising the hospital’s overcapacity and the need for all parties to respect medical neutrality.
The escalation occurred in response to the failure of ceasefire negotiations brokered by the US, Qatar, and Egypt to reach a consensus. Compromises made during the Cairo talks were rejected by Israel and Hamas, respectively. Official Osama Hamdan of Hamas said that the organisation rejected fresh demands from Israel, but a top U.S. official called the negotiations “constructive.”
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated. The Gaza health ministry reports that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict’s start on October 7th.
The war was triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, with over 250 individuals taken hostage.
(Source: Reuters)