More than 150,000 people have been forced to flee the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis due to an ongoing military offensive led by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The operation, aimed at countering alleged attempts by Hamas to regroup its forces in the area, has resulted in widespread displacement and casualties.

The IDF issued an evacuation order on Monday for the eastern parts of Khan Younis, while also decreasing the size of the designated al-Mawasi humanitarian zone. The zone was believed to have been used by Hamas fighters for "terrorist activity and rocket fire", according to the IDF.

Since the start of the offensive, at least 80 Palestinians have been killed in the area, as reported by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, estimates that around 150,000 people have fled Khan Younis since Monday's evacuation order.

Louise Wateridge, an official from UNRWA, highlighted the severity of the situation, pointing out that over 80% of the Gaza Strip has now been placed under evacuation orders or designated as no-go zones by the Israeli military. She also mentioned that the displaced residents are seeking shelter in overcrowded areas with limited services, such as Deir al-Balah and western Khan Younis.

Witnesses reported tanks pushing into the Bani Suhaila district and operations taking place in Al-Qarara. Some individuals sought refuge in displacement camps, while others crowded hospitals for safety. One resident shared his experience of being displaced 12 times since the start of the offensive, describing it as "the hardest night of our lives".

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed the mass displacement, stating that it had monitored population movements on the ground. OCHA also expressed concern over the plight of those trapped in the evacuation zone, including individuals with reduced mobility.

The IDF defended its actions, claiming to have dismantled terrorist infrastructure and eliminated several terrorists during their operations in the Khan Younis area. Meanwhile, health officials warned about the possibility of a polio outbreak in Gaza after traces of the virus were found in wastewater.

Israel initiated the offensive in response to a significant attack on southern Israel on October 7th, which resulted in a high number of casualties and hostages. Since then, the ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 39,000 people in Gaza, according to the territory's health ministry.

BBC analysis has also revealed the extensive damage caused by the nine-month-long fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. In the latest round of strikes, an estimated 70 people were killed in Khan Younis after residents were instructed to evacuate the eastern areas of the zone.

As the conflict continues to escalate, the international community calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities to prevent further displacement and loss of life in Khan Younis and the wider Gaza Strip.