Israeli Occupation Forces Launch Devastating Attack on Khanyounis, Gaza Strip

On April 25, 2024, Israeli occupation forces launched a devastating attack on the city of Khanyounis in the Gaza Strip, leaving the city extensively damaged. The attack was part of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, which has been ongoing for several years.

The attack resulted in the deaths of at least five people, including two children, Sham Najjar (6) and Jamal Nabahan (8). Additionally, four people were killed in Israeli tank shelling in central Gaza as they tried to move to northern Gaza, where Israel's military is preventing people from returning to their homes.

More than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has sought refuge in Rafah, where Israel has conducted near-daily raids as it prepares for an offensive in the city. The ongoing war has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, with around two-thirds being women and children. The war has devastated Gaza's two largest cities and left a swath of destruction, with around 80% of the territory's population having fled to other parts of the besieged coastal enclave.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands of Palestinians killed and the majority of Gaza's population displaced. The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza.

The attack on Khanyounis also led to the discovery of mass graves outside two hospitals in Gaza, containing over 300 bodies, including women and elderly people. The Israeli army denied responsibility, claiming the graves were dug by Gazans months ago. The United Nations and the European Union have called for an independent investigation into the situation.

US President Joe Biden recently signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that includes $26 billion for Israel and $1 billion in humanitarian assistance to Gaza, in an effort to address the ongoing crisis in the region. The White House national security adviser is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The Israeli military has signaled readiness to move on the southern town of Rafah, which it regards as the last bastion of Hamas, and has procured tens of thousands of tents for Palestinian civilians it intends to evacuate from the area. Concurrently, Israel also pummeled south Lebanon with heavy airstrikes, targeting "Hezbollah targets" including storage facilities and weaponry.</

Key Takeaways

• Israel launched devastating attack on Khanyounis, Gaza, killing 5 including 2 children.
• Over 34,000 Palestinians killed, 80% of Gaza's population displaced in ongoing conflict.
• Mass graves discovered outside Gaza hospitals, UN calls for independent investigation.
• US provides $95B war aid, $26B for Israel, $1B humanitarian aid to Gaza.
• Israel signals readiness to attack Rafah, targets Hezbollah in south Lebanon.