Israel orders evacuations in Gaza during expanded ground offensive

The Israeli military on Monday called for people to evacuate the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza as troops widened their ground operation in the region. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have moved into the city and the surrounding area since Israel launched its offensive in northern Gaza shortly after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7. Palestinians in Gaza said Monday they were running out of places to go as Israel ordered civilians to move further south toward the border with Egypt.

How are international leaders responding? U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday called on Israel to do more to protect civilians. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the sentiment on Saturday. Some U.S. Senate Democrats have called for requirements regarding the treatment of civilians to be included in an aid package for Israel. However, Israeli officials said the evacuations are intended to protect civilians as its forces continue trying to topple the Hamas terrorist group.

Dig deeper: Read A.S. Ibrahim’s column in WORLD Opinions about how Arab leaders remain silent about Muslims suffering at the hands of other Muslims.