From the Liveblog of
Monday, May 19, 2025
IDF declares all of Khan Younis a combat zone, tells Gazans to leave
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF says Palestinians living in and around the large southern Gaza city of Khan Younis must leave their homes as it prepares to launch an “unprecedented attack” on the area.
The evacuation order, covering all of Khan Younis as well as the suburbs of Bani Suheila and Abasan, marks the first major evacuation order since the IDF launched an expanded offensive in the Strip, with Israeli leaders warning they intend to conquer the whole territory to smash the Hamas terror group.
#عاجل ‼️ الى سكان محافظة خان يونس، بني سهيلا وعبسان
⭕️جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي سوف يشن هجوماً غير مسبوق لتدمير قدرات المنظمات الإرهابية في هذه المنطقة
⭕️عليكم الأخلاء فوراً غرباً الى منطقة المواصي⭕️
⭕️من هذه اللحظة، ستعتبر محافظة خانيونس منطقة قتال خطيرة
⭕️المنظمات الإرهابية جلبت… pic.twitter.com/1yqOLDVTKK— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 19, 2025
“The IDF will launch an unprecedented attack to destroy the capabilities of terror organizations in this area,” says the military’s Arabic-language spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee.
The entire Khan Younis area is now considered “a dangerous combat zone,” he says.
Civilians, who likely number in the tens of thousands, are advised to move west toward the Mawasi area on the coast.
The Times of Israel Community.