Palestinians evacuate south as Israel expands offensive to central Gaza

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians have fled to the town of Rafah in the south of the last days, the United Nations has said, as Israeli forces on December 29th have continued to attack areas in central Gaza, killing dozens.

Israel's unprecedented ground and air offensive against Hamas the Palestinian group declared terrorist organisation by the US and the EU has displaced about 85 percent of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people, who are seeking refuge in areas Israel has described as safe but who have been bombed by the military. This has made Palestinians not secure in any part of the small enclave.

Israel's military campaign has only levelled large parts north of Gaza, and now the military has focused on areas in central Gaza, where Israeli planes and artillery are attacking refugee camps Burey, Nuseyrat and Magazine, destroying buildings, residents have said.

But fighting has spread to many areas of Gaza. In the north, Hamas is still fighting Israelite troops with strong resistance. In the second largest city of the Gaza Belt, Han Yunis in the south, where Israel believes Hamas' leaders are hiding, so are battles.

The war has already killed over 21.300 Palestinians and caused a humanitarian crisis, which has caused a quarter of Gaza's population to face hunger.

Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas and free over 100 hostages still held by the radical group since he carried out attacks south of Israel on 7 October. The attacks killed 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians.

Israeli officials have rejected international calls for a ceasefire, saying a fighting stop would constitute victory for Hamas.

On Thursday evening, the UN said that close to 100,000 people have gone to Rafah, located on the border with Egypt in recent days.

Israel has told the inhabitants of central Gaza to evacuate and go to Raphah and to Deir al-Bala. But despite ordering the evacuation to Rafah, this city has been a target of Israeli attacks.

During an attack Thursday evening on a residential building, at least 23 people were killed, said hospital officials Al-Kuwaiti, located nearby.