In pictures: Israeli ultimatum sparks Palestinian exodus from Khan Younis
Streams of families flee in vehicles and on foot, their belongings heaped on donkey carts and motorcycle rickshaws as they make their slow escape along congested roads amid threats of Israeli bombardment.
Displaced Palestinians make their way as they flee the eastern part of Khan Younis following an Israeli army ultimatum, in Khan Younis in southern Gaza / Photo: Reuters
Thousands of Palestinians, already displaced, have again been forced to flee Khan Younis in southern besieged Gaza by Israel.
Streams of families fled in various vehicles and on foot, their belongings heaped on donkey carts and motorcycle rickshaws as they made their slow escape along congested roads.
It comes after Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee ordered residents in the towns of Salqa, al-Qarara, Bani Suheila, Abasan, Khuza'a, Sheikh Nasser, al-Satar, and al-Mahatta to flee immediately toward what he described a "humanitarian zone" west of Khan Younis.
In the tiny Palestinian enclave, there's no "safe-zone", Palestinians say. For over 10 months, Israel has been bombing Gaza indiscriminately and everywhere. On Thursday, Palestinians were burned alive after Israel struck a crowded camp that had been designated a "safe zone."
Conservative estimates show Israel has taken the lives of some 40,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and wounded almost 92,000 others. Thousands have perished under the debris of bombed homes while some 10,000 Palestinians have been abducted by Israeli troops.
Some 45 American physicians, surgeons and nurses, who have volunteered in Gaza since last October say the likely death toll from Israel's genocidal war is "already greater than 92,000". According to a study published in the journal Lancet, the accumulative effects of Israel's war on Gaza could mean the true death toll could reach more than 186,000 people.
These powerful images capture the new Palestinian exodus
Displaced Palestinians leave an area in east Khan Younis towards the west, after the Israeli army issued a new ultimatum for the already displaced residents.
Palestinians are being forced to flee toward what Israel calls are "safe zones". In the tiny Palestinian enclave, there's no "safe-zone", Palestinians say. For over 10 months, Israel has been bombing Gaza indiscriminately and everywhere.
Most of the Gaza 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once during Israel’s genocidal war. Schools and hospitals sheltering refugees are often bombed by Israel.
Streams of families evacuated in various vehicles and on foot, their belongings heaped on donkey carts and motorcycle rickshaws as they made their slow escape along congested roads.
Residents says families had begun to leave their homes and head west towards al-Mawasi, a "humanitarian-designated area" but one that is overcrowded by displaced families from around the enclave.
"The overcrowding of citizens in shelters has also contributed to the rapid spread of skin diseases. Yesterday, we were talking about hepatitis, and today we are talking about contagious skin diseases. Every day there are new diseases spreading among children, such as vitiligo, tinea, psoriasis, and scabies," says Dr. Wissam Al-Sakani.
"Last time they told us to leave and then they struck the houses, which were already partially destroyed, this time the house are fully destroyed. There are no homes to stay at," says displaced Palestinian, Ahmed al-Farra.
"We are running from the fire, we are running with our children from fear. God knows, we are walking now. They said to go to humanitarian areas, but there is no safe place here in Gaza. It is all destroyed and damaged, " says displaced woman, Umm Raed Abu Elyan.
Elderly women on wheelchairs, sleeping children carried by their mothers and others on donkey carts, flee Khan Younis, some of them say they have fled several times.
"With the facilitation of Allah, we don't know where are we going, to the beach to Al-Mawasi, any place we will stay at. There is no safe place here. They struck everywhere, they already struck Al-Mawasi, and many people were killed. There is no safety, the safety is with Allah,” says Ahmed al-Farra.
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