UN Expresses Deep Concern Over Israel’s Call for Evacuation of Khan Younis
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed deep concern over the recent call for evacuation in Khan Younis, south of Gaza, by Israel. Thousands of people are being asked to leave the area, leading to potential massive displacement, suffering, and family separation. This call comes at a time when the population is already facing shortages of food, water, shelter, and other basic needs.
Israeli Army Spokesman Avichay Adraee has urged Palestinians to evacuate the areas east of Khan Younis city urgently for their safety. As a result, Palestinians in the east of the city have been forced to flee towards the uninhabited al-Mawasi area, west of Rafah. This region lacks infrastructure, sewage networks, electricity lines, communication networks, and the internet, leaving those who have taken refuge there in dire conditions with limited access to water, food, sanitation, and health services.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that Israel has carried out two massacres in the last 24 hours, resulting in the loss of 23 lives and injuring 91 Palestinians. The total number of casualties since the attacks began on October 7, 2023, has reached 37,900 killed and 87,060 injured. Medical teams and civil defense officials are facing obstacles from Israeli forces in recovering bodies trapped under rubble.
In addition to the ongoing attacks, Palestinians detained in Israeli military detention centers, such as Sde Teima, are reportedly facing inhumane treatment. The New York Times published a report revealing that Gazans in Sde Teima are subjected to harsh conditions, including being forced to sit silently on the ground, blindfolded, and handcuffed for up to 18 hours a day. Many detainees have endured inhumane treatment and torture during interrogations, highlighting the concerning treatment of Palestinians in detention centers.
