Escalating Conflict: Gaza Evacuations and Deadly Strikes in Majdal Shams

Palestinians are fleeing refugee camps in Gaza following Israeli army's evacuation orders, amid ongoing conflict. The violence includes a deadly rocket strike in Majdal Shams, killing 12, including children. The escalating violence has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties since October 7.

Palestinians, including children, are evacuating with their belongings from the Bureij and Nuseirat refugee camps in central Gaza following new orders from the Israeli army on Sunday, Al Jazeera reported. The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) disclosed that 86 percent of the Gaza Strip is currently under such orders.

Many individuals forced to leave the camp have faced displacement nine or ten times since last October, according to the UN, as reported by Al Jazeera. Recently, a significant number of Israeli soldiers raided the al-Issawiya neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem, arresting a young man and injuring several Palestinians as confrontations erupted, Al Jazeera reported, citing Wafa news agency.

The Israeli soldiers also stormed a medical center and sprayed waste water on homes and vehicles, Wafa reported, citing witnesses. On Sunday, in a lethal strike, 12 people perished after a rocket was launched towards Israeli-occupied Majdal Shams, which Israel attributes to Iran-backed Hezbollah, reported The Jerusalem Post.

"We know exactly where the rocket was launched from today...This is a Hezbollah rocket, and whoever launches such a rocket into a populated area wants to kill civilians, wants to kill children," IDF Chief of General Staff, Lt. General Herzi Halevi, said. Following a direct hit in the Druze town of Majdal Shams, 12 people were killed, including children and teenagers aged 10 to 20.

An official IDF statement added, "While athletes from around the world are competing at the #Olympics2024, Hezbollah is murdering the next generation of Israeli athletes. A group of children enjoying life's simple pleasures was murdered in cold blood when a Hezbollah rocket hit the soccer field in Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, killing 11 and injuring dozens more." At least 19 were wounded to varying degrees, including six seriously, three moderately, and 10 lightly injured, including those suffering from anxiety attacks. They were transported to hospitals by Magen David Adom (MDA) teams and IDF helicopters, according to an MDA statement.

At least 39,324 Palestinians have been killed and 90,830 others wounded in Israel's war on Gaza since October 7, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. At least 66 Palestinians were killed and 24 wounded in the most recent 24-hour reporting period, it said.

(With inputs from agencies.)