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Translated by: Flutura Gashi-Mehmeti
- July 22, 2024 10:10
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The Israeli army on Monday ordered the evacuation of part of an area in the Gaza Strip that it had previously designated as a humanitarian zone.
The army has said it plans to launch an operation against Hamas militants, who have entrenched themselves in the area and have used it to fire rockets at Israel.
The area includes the eastern part of the Muwasi humanitarian zone, which is located in the southern Gaza Strip, AP reports.
Many Palestinians have been displaced several times in search of safety during Israel's air and ground offensive.
Earlier this month, Israeli officials said they estimated at least 1.8 million Palestinians were now in the humanitarian zone it declared covering a stretch of about 14 kilometers along the Mediterranean.
Much of that area is now covered in tent camps that lack sanitation and medical facilities and have limited access to aid, the UN and humanitarian groups say.
Families live amidst mountains of garbage and streams polluted by sewage.
The evacuation announcement comes as difficult negotiations are underway to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, with US and Israeli officials expressing hope that a deal is closer than ever.
A negotiating team will be sent to continue talks on Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced. Egypt, Qatar and the United States are continuing to push Israel and Hamas toward a phased ceasefire agreement that would halt the fighting and release the hostages.
