The Israeli military said its forces had “intensified their operational activities in the area” of Deir al-Balah, after its intelligence indicated the presence of Hamas.The New York Times reports that once again, thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza were forced to flee their homes and shelters this week due to Israeli military orders. On Thursday, the Israeli military ordered evacuations from a number of neighborhoods in Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza, and the day before, from parts of central Gaza.

Among those who were forced to flee was Mohammed Aborjela, who had been sheltering with friends in the affected city of Deir al Balah. He received a recorded message from the Israeli military on Wednesday, ordering Palestinians to leave certain parts of the city immediately and warning of forceful action against Hamas militants in the area.

Mr. Aborjela, 28, quickly packed up his belongings and headed to Al-Mawasi, a coastal area that Israel has declared a humanitarian safe zone. However, even there, he and others were not safe as shelling from tanks reached the tents they were sheltering in.

According to the Israeli military, they take precautions to minimize harm to civilians, but when asked about the tank fire towards Al-Mawasi, they did not deny it.

The Israeli military stated on Thursday that they had intensified their operations in the Deir al Balah area after intelligence indicated the presence of Hamas infrastructure and fighters in the area.

Dr. Iyad al-Jabri, a surgeon and administrator at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al Balah, reported that seven people who were wounded from the shelling in Al-Mawasi were brought to the hospital. However, the hospital itself may also become a target as it is located in an area subject to evacuation orders.

As a result of the multiple evacuation orders issued this month, an estimated 250,000 people have been affected and aid movement has been disrupted, according to the United Nations. This has also caused the loss of essential health services for many, with 17 health facilities being affected in total. The United Nations has expressed concern for the well-being of the more than 150,000 displaced people living in the central Gaza areas subject to the latest evacuation order. 

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