In a significant escalation of its offensive in the southern Gaza Strip, Israel has issued expanded evacuation orders in Khan Younis, compelling tens of thousands of Palestinian residents and displaced families to flee their homes. The announcement came as explosions from tank shelling echoed through the dark, leaving the evacuees in a state of heightened fear and uncertainty.

According to the Israeli military, the increased offensive is targeting militants from the Hamas group, who have been allegedly using the areas to stage attacks and launch rockets. However, this offensive has not come without consequences. On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike targeted a school in Gaza City that served as a shelter for displaced Palestinians, resulting in the deaths of at least 90 people, according to the civil defense service. This incident has sparked widespread international condemnation.

Israel claims that the school was being used as a command post for Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, an allegation that both groups categorically denied. The mounting casualties and escalating violence have raised concerns over the protection of civilians and calls for Israel to exercise restraint in its military operations.

The evacuation orders in Khan Younis cover districts in the central, eastern, and western parts of the city, making it one of the largest such mandates in the 10-month-long conflict. Residents received the instructions through various channels, including messages on their phones, stating that the area they were in was considered a dangerous combat zone, and they must immediately evacuate to the newly created humanitarian zone.

Meanwhile, violence has also erupted in the occupied West Bank, where an Israeli was killed and another wounded after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on a main road. The Israeli military has launched a pursuit operation to apprehend the suspected assailants, leading to road blockades and searches in the area.

In a related development, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards are conducting a military drill in the western parts of the country, near the border with Iraq. This exercise, which started on Friday and will continue until Tuesday, aims to enhance combat readiness and vigilance. Iran has pledged to retaliate against Israel following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, expressed her concern over the mounting civilian casualties, stating that while Israel has the right to target Hamas terrorists, it also bears a crucial responsibility to avoid harming innocent civilians. The Palestinian Authority has also issued a rare statement, urging the United States to put an end to its blind support for Israel, as it leads to the senseless killing of thousands of innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.

The airstrike in eastern Syria near the Iraq border has further fueled tensions. At least five fighters from pro-Iran units were killed, with conflicting reports about the identity of the entity responsible for the attack.

The death toll from the Israeli air strike on the school in Gaza City has risen to 80, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel claims the school was being used as a Hamas and Islamic Jihad military facility, while the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, emphasized that there is no justification for the attack and expressed deep concern over the high number of civilian casualties.

The United Nations reports that a significant number of schools in Gaza have been directly hit or damaged during the ongoing conflict, raising alarm about the safety and well-being of the civilian population. As the violence continues to escalate, mediators are pushing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The situation in the Gaza Strip remains precarious as Israeli forces intensify their offensive, displacing thousands of Palestinians and prompting international calls for deescalation and the protection of civilians caught in the crossfire.