The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) confirmed the news, adding that tens of thousands of civilians were involved in the looting. This left the UN with nothing to distribute in the area, with the organization saying its operations in the Gaza Strip are almost collapsing due to strict military restrictions.
The Israeli bombing campaign, ongoing for two months, has displaced hundreds of thousands – rendering the remaining infrastructure unable to cope with the influx of displaced persons. Gaza residents also reported a surge in burglaries and looting due to the absence of police and other authorities. Moreover, the escalating violence in southern Gaza is now jeopardizing aid deliveries to Palestinians.
According to the UN, 85 percent of the population of Gaza had to leave their homes and are now staying in crowded schools, hospitals or out in the open. The UN's World Food Program also noted that nearly half of the population in the northern region and those who were forced to leave their homes in the southern region are facing severe hunger, reaching emergency or catastrophic levels. Martin Griffiths, the UN's emergency aid chief, stated that humanitarian programs are no longer functioning, with aid deliveries being attacked and looted.
International officials call for CEASEFIRE in Gaza
Given the situation in Khan Younis and the Gaza Strip at large, international officials – including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken – have urged Israel to prioritize civilian protection and to implement a broader ceasefire that extends beyond specific neighborhoods.
"It remains imperative that Israel put a premium on civilian protection," said Blinken. "There does remain a gap between … the intent and the results."
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Blinken's colleague in the White House, also supported the call for a ceasefire.
"I have repeatedly made clear to Israel's leaders that protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza is both a moral responsibility and a strategic imperative," he said during the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. "And so I have personally pushed Israeli leaders to avoid civilian casualties; to shun irresponsible rhetoric; to prevent violence by settlers in the West Bank; and to dramatically expand access to humanitarian aid."
But Sanam Vakil of the London-based Chatham House think tank argued that the pressure on Israel would only strengthen its resolve. He explained that the pressure from inside and outside the country is considered a reason for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to intensify its strikes and win the war.
"Israel sees that they have no choice; there is no other way to try and tick the box of victory, whatever that looks like," said Vakil, director of the think tank's Middle East and North Africa program. "It's going to be done with maximum impact – and the impact is going to have a cascading impact on the loss of life."
Meanwhile, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stressed that Israeli forces are specifically targeting Hamas in various areas of Gaza – including Khan Younis.
"We will continue to dismantle each of these centers until we finish in Jabalia, Shujaiyeh and the Khan Younis area," he said. "In every place we operate, we will continue in the same manner."
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