Red Crescent evacuates Khan Younis HQ after Israeli bombing

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) says it has “fully evacuated” its temporary administrative headquarters in Khan Younis because of Israeli attacks.

The city has been the target of several Israeli attacks and invasions since 7 October and has been largely destroyed.

“The Palestine Red Crescent Society fully evacuated its temporary administrative headquarters in the Mawasi Khan Younis area due to shrapnel falling on the building and direct shelling, which posed a danger to the staff working inside,” the PRCS said on X, along with the hashtag "NotATarget".

The Israeli army has targeted buildings housing aid groups and displaced people several times, despite them sharing their locations.

The PRCS, which provided Palestinians with humanitarian assistance and health and social services before 7 October, has lost 20 staff and volunteers since the assault began.

In January, the organisation lost contact with one of its ambulance crews while trying to rescue six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza City.

The aid group says ambulance crew members Yusuf al-Zeino and Ahmed al-Madhoun were killed by Israeli forces when they arrived to rescue Hind.

According to the UN Human Rights Office, up to 500 healthcare workers have been killed in almost nine months of Israel’s war.

More healthcare workers have been killed in Gaza since 7 October than were killed in all global conflicts in 2021 and 2022 combined.

Israeli forces have also rounded up and abducted medical staff after besieging and bombing hospitals, with many former detainees alleging torture during their time in detention.

Over 37,877 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October, and over 86,969 wounded, according to Gaza health authorities.

© Al-Araby Al-Jadeed