Israeli forces have renewed their attacks on Khan Younis, a frequent target of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
Military vehicles, bulldozers, excavators, and Israeli infantry and engineering forces are being used in the operation, The New Arab’s Arabic-language site, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed said.
The Israeli army claimed that it was “clashing with fighters both above and below ground”.
The Israeli military also ordered the evacuation of scores of residents from eastern parts of the city, with videos and images shared online showing exhausted Palestinians forced to leave with their belongings.
Residents are reportedly evacuating to Al-Mawasi, which Israel has designated as a “humanitarian zone”. Despite this, it has been targeted by Israeli in multiple attacks, and is overcrowded by displaced families from around the enclave.
Israel is claiming that there are Hamas operatives in the area, and has vowed to “act forcefully” against them.
Israel has continued to bombard other parts of the Gaza Strip. At least eight people were killed overnight in strikes on Nuseirat and Maghazi camps, while casualties are feared following a strike on the Jabalia camp in northern Gaza. At least 18 people have been wounded, Al Jazeera reported.
This comes after mediators US, Egypt and Qatar have called on Israel and Hamas to resume ceasefire and hostage release negotiations, saying there are “no excuses from any party for further delay”.
The countries said talks could take place on August 15 in either Doha or Cairo, adding it was “time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families”.
