**Escalation in Gaza: New Evacuation Orders and Hospital Director Injured**

The conflict in Gaza intensified as the Israeli military issued fresh evacuation orders for residents in the Shejaia suburb of eastern Gaza City, prompting another wave of displacement. Reports from Palestinian medics also confirm that the director of a Gaza hospital was injured in an Israeli drone attack.

The new directives, communicated via a post by the Israeli army spokesperson on X on Saturday night, cite the persistent rocket fire from Palestinian militants in the densely populated northern district. The post urged residents to "evacuate immediately to the south" for their safety, following a barrage of rockets claimed by Hamas' armed wing, which targeted an Israeli army base.

Scenes of evacuation quickly circulated on social and Palestinian media, showing families leaving Shejaia on donkey carts, rickshaws, and on foot. The displacement, which saw children carrying backpacks and families fleeing their homes, continued from Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday.

Central Gaza also bore the brunt of escalating violence, with health officials reporting at least ten Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes on the urban camps of Al-Maghazi and Al-Bureij since Saturday night. The situation was further exacerbated by heavy winter rain, which flooded hundreds of tents across the enclave, displacing many already embattled Gazans again.

Rami, a 37-year-old displaced resident of Gaza City, shared his ordeal: "We ran in the middle of the night; the rainwater flooded the tent, the food is gone, the kids screamed, and I am afraid they will get sick." The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service highlighted the severe impact of the flooding, calling for new tents and caravans from aid donors.

In northern Gaza, where Israeli forces have been targeting Hamas militants, Kamal Adwan Hospital was struck by an Israeli drone, injuring its director Hussam Abu Safiya. Despite his injuries, Abu Safiya remains resolute, stating, "This will not stop us from completing our humanitarian mission; we will continue to do this job at any cost."

Israeli forces have accused militants of using civilian infrastructure for operational purposes, an allegation denied by Hamas, which accuses Israel of targeting populated areas indiscriminately. Kamal Adwan is one of the three hospitals in the northern region struggling to operate, as the health ministry claims Israeli actions have severely restricted medical, food, and fuel supplies.

Israel asserts that it has worked with international agencies to facilitate the delivery of aid and transfer of patients from northern Gaza hospitals. However, the destruction in northern Gaza continues, with residents reporting extensive demolitions by Israeli forces in towns such as Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun.

Since the conflict renewed operations last month, Gaza officials report that Israel's campaign has resulted in over 44,000 deaths and has essentially displaced nearly the entire population at least once. The ongoing war, which began in response to a cross-border assault by Hamas-led militants on October 7, 2023, continues to inflict severe hardships on Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants.