Israeli Tanks Return to Khan Younis Amid Renewed Escalation

Israeli tanks re-entered Khan Younis, forcing families to evacuate, as Palestinian fighters resisted. Thousands fled, facing escalating conflict. International leaders sought to revive ceasefire talks. Israeli airstrikes killed Palestinians, including journalists. Fears of broader conflict rise as Iran vows retaliation. Hamas's stance on talks remains tentative.

Israeli tanks returned to the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Friday, prompting families to evacuate along crowded roads, as Palestinian fighters continued their attacks from the ruins, according to residents and the military.

Thousands fled eastern Khan Younis by various means, moving slowly along congested roads with their belongings piled on donkey carts and motorcycle rickshaws.

In response to the escalating situation, leaders from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar scheduled a new round of talks for August 15 aimed at halting the fighting in Gaza.

Israeli forces, which recently re-entered large areas of the Gaza Strip, warned that Hamas fighters might regroup despite claiming earlier victories in these regions.

The military dropped leaflets ordering residents and the displaced to evacuate from eastern Khan Younis. Many sought refuge in Al-Mawasi, but fear of attacks persisted even in this designated safe zone.

Um Raed Abu Elyan, evacuating with her family, expressed the pervasive fear: "We are running with our children from fear. There is no safe place here in Gaza. It is all destroyed and damaged."

Later on Friday, an Israeli airstrike killed six Palestinians in Al-Mawasi. Another strike nearby killed four more people, including a girl, and wounded several others, medics reported. The raid also claimed the lives of two local journalists, increasing the number of Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli fire since October 7 to 165.

The Israeli military reported targeting dozens of Hamas positions in Khan Younis and Rafah, near the Egyptian border, seizing arms depots and killing many fighters.

Ceasefire talks scheduled for August 15 aim to revisit a ceasefire and hostage release deal, following previous failed attempts. A Hamas official stated that the group was considering the new proposal.

Fears of broader conflict have intensified with Iran's vow to retaliate after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the killing of a Hezbollah commander in Beirut.

Since October 7, when Hamas fighters attacked Israeli towns, Israel has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to health officials. Despite this, Hamas fighters continue to mount guerrilla attacks, with Israel preparing for potential conflict on the Lebanese border.

On Friday, Israeli military strikes in Gaza killed at least 20 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry.

(With inputs from agencies.)