Displaced people IDF moves south as more than 1 million seek refuge

Israeli forces have moved further into southern Gaza, with airstrikes and close-combat fighting approaching areas crowded with more than a million people who have sought refuge from the destruction across the rest of the territory.

- Jason Burke

The prospect of major operations taking place in terrain with such a dense and vulnerable population is “deeply concerning”, said aid officials, who are fearful that Gaza’s largest remaining hospital may have to be closed or evacuated.

Witnesses reported the sound of ground combat and explosions throughout yesterday in the west of Khan Younis, the main city in southern Gaza, where Israel says members and leaders of Hamas are hiding.

Medical staffsaid the fighting had come within metres of Nasser hospital, which is the biggest still partly working in Gaza, over the past week. The facility has been inundated with hundreds of wounded patients every day since the fighting shifted south last month. There are fears it could be forced to close because of bombardments and evacuation orders.

Witness reported automatic weapons fire, an orange fireball above rooftops in the afternoon, and smoke above much of the city.

Israeli officials said soldiers in Khan Younis had “eliminated dozens of terrorists in close-quarters combat and with the assistance of tank fire and air support”.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are now fighting the farthest south so far in the offensive, which was launched after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October and killed 1,200, mostly civilians.