10 December 2023 , 20:53
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Israeli leaders urged any remaining civilians to flee the main city in southern Gaza today as they ramped up their bombardment.
Officials acted as tanks rolled into the centre of Khan Yunis and snipers took up positions to oversee building-to-building fighting against Hamas.
With Israeli forces now focused on the south of the Strip, the head of the World Health Organisation warned that “nowhere and no one is safe in Gaza”.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the health system is “on its knees and collapsing”, with half of the population starving, and disease spreading. He added: “The impact of the conflict on health is catastrophic.”
Smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during an Israeli strike today (AFP via Getty Images)Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called for sanctions against Israel.
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But Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu made clear the bombardment would continue until Hamas is defeated and the remaining 117 Israeli hostages are freed. Hamas warned that not a single hostage will leave Gaza alive, unless its demands on the release of Palestinian prisoners are met.
Netanyahu also branded some Western leaders as two-faced, saying: “You can’t support the elimination of Hamas and pressure us to end the war – which would prevent the elimination of Hamas.”
His defiance was boosted by the US veto derailing the UN’s call for a ceasefire. However UN chief Antonio Guterres insisted: “I won’t give up.” Washington also bypassed Congress to agree the sale of £84.5m of tank ammunition.
Along with Israeli attacks in Khan Yunis yesterday there were also strikes 10kms away in Deir al-Balah, with casualties, including children, taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital.
The Israeli Defence Forces has urged nearly two million civilians to go to the “safe zone” of Al-Mawasi. But refugees have said the southern coastal town “isn’t a place for human beings”.