Israeli Minister's warning to Lebanon: 'The people of Lebanon should watch these images closely...'
Israel's far-right Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, used images depicting the humanitarian crisis faced by displaced Palestinians in Gaza to send a message to the people of Lebanon.
Smotrich shared footage on his X (formerly Twitter) account showing thousands of Palestinians in the eastern part of Khan Younis, Gaza, fleeing with their belongings to areas they believe are safe. This exodus follows Israel's warnings to evacuate certain areas.
Referring to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group with which Israel has been engaged in clashes in the north, Smotrich stated, "Hamas has brought destruction and devastation to the people of Gaza. The people of Lebanon should watch these images closely."
Renewed Forced Displacement in Khan Younis
A new wave of forced displacement is occurring in eastern Khan Younis as Israel resumes its ground offensive and issues evacuation orders for various regions.
The Israeli military had previously ordered the evacuation of nearly ten neighborhoods in southern Gaza's Khan Younis, where thousands of displaced Palestinians had taken refuge. Yesterday, the army expanded its evacuation orders to include several additional areas.
Images circulating on social media depict the harrowing scenes of displaced women, children, and elderly Palestinians walking through the rubble with only a few possessions, highlighting the ongoing "humanitarian catastrophe."
During Israel's intensified attacks on Gaza in December 2023, the military launched a ground assault on Khan Younis, the second-largest population center in the region. When the Israeli army withdrew from Khan Younis in April, it left behind extensive destruction, with Palestinian Civil Defense teams recovering hundreds of bodies. Reports indicated that approximately 8,000 people were believed to be trapped under the rubble in Khan Younis.
In the courtyard of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, a mass grave containing over 300 bodies was discovered.
The Israeli military launched another ground assault on Khan Younis at the end of July, withdrawing about a week later after causing further casualties and destruction.
