IDF Urges Evacuation of UN Shelter in Khan Younis Amid Intensified Fighting, UNRWA Official Says
In the midst of intensified fighting in Khan Younis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has urged people to evacuate the United Nations shelter located in southern Gaza. Tamara Alrifai, a representative from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), expressed concerns about the feasibility of this request and questioned the safety of the people residing in the shelter.
According to Alrifai, the IDF has been using loudspeakers to inform residents in the West of Khan Younis, where the largest UN shelter is situated, to evacuate. She highlighted that there has been a significant escalation of violence in the area, making it even more challenging for people to leave safely.
Alrifai revealed that the UNRWA did not receive any warning before one of its buildings was struck by a shell on Wednesday. Despite sharing their GPS coordinates with both Israeli authorities and Hamas, they were not alerted to any potential danger. The purpose of sharing this information was to ensure that all parties involved in the conflict were aware of the location of UN buildings and personnel.
The UN shelter in Khan Younis housed approximately 43,000 displaced individuals, many of whom had already experienced multiple displacements within the past three months due to ongoing fighting. Additionally, an estimated 30,000 people were sleeping in the open vicinity of the shelter, seeking a sense of security by being close to a UN facility.
Unfortunately, despite these precautions, the UN building was hit during the hostilities. Alrifai expressed her concerns about the practicality of evacuating tens of thousands of people while fighting was still ongoing nearby. She emphasized that expecting such a large number of individuals to leave within 24 hours, especially under dangerous circumstances, was highly unrealistic and posed significant risks to their safety.
Alrifai further explained that gaining access to the area was extremely difficult due to the Israeli military’s encirclement. This created significant obstacles for humanitarian aid organizations and limited their ability to provide assistance to those in need.
The situation in Khan Younis highlights the complexities and challenges faced by both the IDF and UNRWA in ensuring the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire of conflict. As the fighting continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the protection of innocent lives and work towards a peaceful resolution that can bring an end to the suffering endured by the people of Gaza.
