Israeli Attack on Northern and Southern Gaza; At Least 9 Killed

In an Israeli attack, at least 9 people were killed in Khan Younis city in southern Gaza. Associated Press reported this news on Tuesday, citing Palestinian health officials, stating that less than a day earlier, Israel had instructed Palestinians to evacuate parts of the city ahead of a potential ground operation. The Israeli army had ordered residents of several towns and villages in eastern Khan Younis on Monday to evacuate their homes before tanks re-entered an area that the army had left several weeks ago. Thousands of Palestinians have left their homes in southern Gaza, and it has been reported that this operation may be part of Israel's final military pressure in the 9 months of war in Gaza. Reuters also reported, citing hospital sources, that late on Tuesday, 17 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli tank attack on a street in a crowded neighborhood in Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the World Health Organization stated on Tuesday that the European Hospital in Gaza in Khan Younis has nearly emptied of staff and patients after the Israeli army ordered residents of surrounding areas to evacuate. The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that it had connected a power line to the main desalination plant in the Gaza Strip, which is under Hamas control, to provide more drinking water for the Palestinian residents of this war-torn area. In Iran, Kamal Kharrazi, a foreign affairs advisor to Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, threatened that if Israel were to launch a comprehensive attack on Hezbollah, the Islamic Republic of Iran might enter a regional war. Kharrazi threatened Israel, stating, 'We will support Hezbollah with all our resources.' Tensions in the region are rising; Saudi Arabia has also urged its citizens to leave Lebanon 'quickly.' Concerns are increasing over 'escalating tensions in the region'; Netanyahu accused the Islamic Republic of attempting to 'dominate the Middle East.' Islamic Jihad's rocket fire from Gaza; Israel released the director of Shifa Hospital.