The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has instructed residents of Khan Younis in southern Gaza to evacuate immediately, warning of an impending large-scale military assault. The order, part of a wider campaign dubbed Operation Gideon’s Chariots, directs civilians to head west toward al-Mawasi, which the IDF describes as a humanitarian zone.

According to an Arabic-language statement by IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee, the targeted areas—now labeled a "dangerous combat zone"—must be cleared for residents’ safety. The IDF accused militant groups of endangering civilians and causing widespread devastation.

Hospitals in the region report over 100 fatalities in the last 24 hours alone, with escalating air and ground assaults across the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military says it has struck 160 sites in the latest wave of attacks.

Among those forced to flee is 13-year-old Tasneem Barakeh, who was separated from her father during the sudden evacuation. “Please God, let the war stop. Where is my father?” she pleaded. “We don’t know where he is. Please, just bring us my father.”

Many residents expressed despair and confusion about the order. “There is no tent for us there or anything,” said Abdallah Abu Shab. “There isn't any transportation, and people don’t have money to ride a cart.” Another woman living under a prior evacuation order in central Gaza said simply, “There is no place to go.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced the military’s stance on Monday, stating that Israel is determined to "take control of all areas of the Strip." In a video address, he described the ongoing combat as "massive fighting – intense and substantial – and there is progress."

The humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply. Gaza’s health ministry, run by Hamas, reported that an Israeli airstrike hit a warehouse of medical supplies at Nasser Hospital, even as injured civilians were being rushed in. The UK-based charity Medical Aid for Palestinians confirmed the incident, with a spokesman stating, “We are just seeing all our work being burned to ashes.”

Meanwhile, reports from Palestinian media alleged that Israeli special forces disguised as women entered a Khan Younis residence, killed a man identified as Ahmad Sarhan—a senior militant figure—and detained his wife and child. Israeli sources confirmed Sarhan’s affiliation with the Popular Resistance Committees, a militant group linked to Hamas.

The IDF maintains its offensive aims to dismantle Hamas, secure the release of hostages, and eliminate militant infrastructure. However, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed deep concern, warning that military escalation could endanger the remaining captives. They cited disturbing testimonies from released hostages describing worsened treatment, including physical abuse and food deprivation, following Israeli strikes.

In a limited humanitarian gesture, Israel announced on Sunday it would permit the entry of minimal food supplies into Gaza to avert famine, after more than ten weeks of a near-total blockade.

The war, now stretching into its eighth month, began after Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages being taken. Of those, 58 hostages remain in Gaza, with up to 23 believed to still be alive.

The Palestinian death toll has surpassed 53,000 since the beginning of Israel’s military campaign, with no clear end in sight.