Thousands of residents have fled the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis after the Israeli military issued a warning of a new operation aimed at eliminating Hamas militants who have reportedly regrouped in the area. The operation has left residents uncertain about their safety and where to seek refuge.

In the al-Jala neighborhood, which was previously designated as a humanitarian zone by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), residents found themselves packing their belongings on Sunday, with no clear destination in mind. Israel claims that rockets have been fired from the area, leading to the decision to launch the operation.

Amal Abu Yahia, a 42-year-old mother of three, expressed her confusion and desperation, stating, "We don't know where to go." She initially took her children to al-Mawasi, a crowded tent camp by the coast, but was unable to find suitable shelter there. Furthermore, this displacement marks the fourth time she has been forced to leave her home, highlighting the ongoing turmoil faced by Gaza residents.

Khan Younis, like other parts of Gaza, has already suffered extensive destruction during the months-long battle earlier this year when the IDF attempted to seize control of the city. As a result, Israeli troops are now being compelled to revisit areas that were targeted in intense fighting, encountering renewed encounters with Hamas and other militants who have regrouped in urban areas.

The increasing prevalence of "humanitarian zones" in Gaza, which are intended to provide a safe haven for civilians, is exacerbating the situation. These zones are already overcrowded, and despite being designated as evacuation areas, such as al-Mawasi, they have experienced strikes by the IDF. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, expressed concern about the plight of Gazans, emphasizing that the people are trapped with nowhere to go. In recent days alone, over 75,000 individuals have been displaced in the southwest region of Gaza. Those forced to leave often carry only basic essentials or their children, as they struggle to navigate overcrowded shelters.

As the Israeli military carries out its new operation in Khan Younis, there is speculation that ceasefire negotiations may resume in Cairo or Doha later this week. The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have all called for both parties to return to the negotiating table. Leaders from these nations, which played key roles in brokering a previous ceasefire in November, have emphasized that there can be no further delays.

Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has pledged to send a delegation to the talks beginning on August 15. However, critics have accused him of stalling on a deal to safeguard his own political interests. Hamas is yet to respond to the invitation for negotiations.

The renewed push for negotiations has become even more crucial following the recent assassinations of a top Hezbollah commander and Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas's political chief. These killings, which have been blamed on Israel by both Hezbollah and Iran, have the potential to escalate the conflict in Gaza into a wider regional crisis. Hezbollah and other Iranian allies have previously vowed to halt attacks on Israel once the war in Gaza comes to an end.

The conflict in the Gaza Strip, ignited by Hamas's massacre in southern Israel on October 7, has resulted in almost 40,000 deaths. Approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 251 were taken hostage in the initial incident.

Commenting on the situation, a spokesperson stated that while Israel has the right to target Hamas terrorists, they also have a responsibility to minimize civilian casualties. The statement came in response to the Israeli bombing of a school in Gaza City on Saturday, which was being used as a shelter and resulted in the deaths of approximately 80 people.

Meanwhile, the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced that he will be visiting Moscow next week to discuss the ongoing war with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit comes after previous attempts to reconcile Fatah and Hamas, which have failed to bridge their differences since Hamas seized control of Gaza in a brief civil war in 2007.

As the situation in Khan Younis escalates, the urgency for a diplomatic solution and a lasting ceasefire is paramount. The suffering and displacement of thousands of innocent civilians must not be overlooked, and international efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution must be intensified.