Israel Mandates Partial Evacuation Of Gaza Humanitarian Zone

On Monday, the Israeli military ordered the evacuation of part of a humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip.

The military plans to begin an operation against Hamas militants who have used the area to launch rockets toward Israel. The area includes the eastern part of the Muwasi humanitarian zone, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israel estimates at least at least 1.8 million Palestinians are now in the humanitarian zone, which covers a stretch of about 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) along the Mediterranean. The Zone is now blanketed with tent camps that lack sanitation and medical facilities and have limited access to aid. Families live in the midst of mountains of trash and streams contaminated by sewage.

The announcement came during negotiations seeking a cease-fire in Gaza, with US and Israeli officials expressing hope that an agreement is closer than ever.

On Thursday, a negotiating team will be sent to continue talks.

The war in Gaza has killed more than 38,900 Palestinians, with the discovery of the polio virus worsening the precarious humanitarian conditions inside besieged Gaza.

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