Aftermath of Israeli strikes in Gaza's Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah.

 Israeli forces have withdrawn from eastern Khan Younis after a 22-day military operation, leaving widespread destruction. The Israeli military announced it had completed ground operations in some areas of the Gaza Strip but continues to intensify attacks elsewhere.

Avichay Adraee, the military’s Arabic spokesperson, said on Friday that Palestinians evacuated from parts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza and Deir el-Balah in the center are now allowed to return. The military claims to have killed 250 fighters, though no evidence was provided.

As the war nears its 11-month mark, Israel's offensive has killed over 40,000 Palestinians since October 7, injured more than 90,000, and displaced the majority of Gaza's population. The army stated that residents could return to the neighborhoods of Hamad, al-Jalaa, and al-Qarara in Khan Younis, which were previously evacuated during operations and are now considered part of the humanitarian zone.

   

However, Israel has a history of targeting “safe zones” and reducing them with evacuation orders during its conflict with Gaza. United Nations agencies and international humanitarian groups argue there is no truly safe place in Gaza, despite Israel's claims.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports over 40,000 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks, with thousands more trapped under rubble or at risk from illness. [Hatem Khaled/Reuters]