People leave their homes in the neighborhood of Shuja'iya in the east of Gaza City, June 27, 2024. /Xinhua
The Israeli army intensified its operations in Gaza on Thursday, ordering residents in eastern Gaza City neighborhoods to evacuate immediately as military forces advanced into these areas.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee instructed residents of the Shuja'iya area, new neighborhoods, Turkmen and Al-Tuffah to move south to the humanitarian zone on Salah al-Din Street for their safety.
Palestinian security sources confirmed heavy artillery and air strikes in the Shuja'iya neighborhood, leading to a massive exodus of residents. The Civil Defense Service in Gaza reported difficulties in reaching casualties due to the intense bombing.
Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza
The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached alarming levels. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) highlighted the deteriorating health conditions, citing the operational challenges faced by its limited health centers due to severe shortages of medicine and fuel on social media platform X.
The situation is exacerbated by crowded shelters, lack of basic necessities and rising temperatures, which have led to increased health risks such as Hepatitis A and potential cholera outbreaks.
Amidst the chaos, 21 Palestinian children with cancer were evacuated from Gaza for treatment abroad, marking the first patient exit since the Rafah border crossing closure in May. However, health authorities noted the difficulty and complications of such evacuations.
The process of evacuating patients was "difficult and complicated," and it "has not been and will not be" a viable alternative to the Rafah land crossing," said Mohammed Zaqout, director general of hospitals in the Gaza Strip, during a press conference.
Regional spillover and escalation
The conflict's repercussions have extended beyond Gaza. Yemen's Houthi group claimed responsibility on Thursday for attacks on a ship in the Red Sea and a strategic target in Haifa, Israel.
The Houthis employed an unmanned boat, missiles and drones in their attacks, inflicting significant damage on the ship. The Houthi group has carried out similar attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, claiming these actions are linked to Israel and intended to show solidarity with the Palestinians.
Streaks of smoke are seen as Israeli anti-missile systems intercept rockets fired from Lebanon, as seen from Safed of northern Israel, June 27, 2024. /Xinhua
Meanwhile, tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have escalated, with both sides engaging in frequent cross-border exchanges.
In northern Israel, 35 rockets and missiles fired from Lebanon struck Safed, causing fires, power outages and property damage. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted most of the projectiles. The Lebanese group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for these attacks, stating they were in retaliation for Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar stated on Thursday that the country's forces are "ready" for a war against Hezbollah in Lebanon. His comments echoed Defense Minister Yoav Gallant's warning that while the Israeli government prefers a diplomatic solution, the Israeli forces are capable of taking Lebanon "back to the Stone Age."
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Western powers of backing Israeli plans to escalate the conflict to Lebanon. He criticized Western nations for supporting what he termed Israeli aggression, warning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans could lead to widespread disaster.
Erdogan has been a vocal critic of Israel's actions in Gaza and has expressed strong support for Palestinian resistance. His remarks came amid growing concerns over the cross-border skirmishes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, reflecting the heightened tensions and complex geopolitical dynamics in the region as the conflict continues to unfold.
(With input from agencies)