• Israel completes the Morag Corridor, cutting off Rafah from Gaza.
• Plans to expand military operations throughout Gaza's territory.
• Evacuation orders issued for residents in Khan Yunis and surrounding areas.
• Over 50,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began in October 2023.
• Concerns raised over humanitarian conditions amid blockades and ongoing strikes.

The Israeli military has announced the completion of the Morag Corridor, effectively cutting off the southern city of Rafah from the rest of the Gaza Strip. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that this would facilitate a rapid expansion of military operations across Gaza, forcing residents to evacuate combat zones. According to Katz, the IDF's operations will "soon expand vigorously" to other areas, creating a significant Israeli security zone within Gaza, centered around the recently completed corridor, which links Rafah and Khan Younis, according to ABC News.

Amid the military escalation, the IDF issued evacuation orders to tens of thousands of residents in Khan Yunis and its surrounding areas after rocket fire was reported from these locations. Katz urged the population to rise up against Hamas, stating that doing so and securing the release of hostages are key to ending the conflict. Reports indicate that Israel aims to pressure Hamas into compliance regarding the release of the remaining 59 hostages, which includes 24 believed to be alive, as reported by BBC.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified dramatically, with Israel imposing a month-long blockade on essential supplies, including food and medical aid, affecting the two million Palestinians in the region. Rights organizations have condemned this blockade, stating it amounts to a war crime as it exacerbates suffering amid ongoing hostilities. The UN has flagged concerns over the “forcible transfer” of civilians into increasingly smaller areas, reflecting the dire conditions in Gaza, according to South China Morning Post.

In the last 24 hours alone, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed at least 21 individuals, primarily women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry. This recent escalation has resulted in over 50,000 reported casualties since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023. The ministry has noted that the ongoing military actions and bombardments not only threaten innocent lives but also further complicate the situation for the hostages, who already face uncertain fates, states Los Angeles Times.

Significantly, Israel's defense minister has suggested a controversial option for Palestinians to “voluntarily” relocate abroad under a U.S.-backed proposal, which has been met with strong opposition from Palestinian representatives who view this as a forced displacement strategy. Human Rights Watch and various organizations have condemned this potential plan as ethnic cleansing, indicating the high tensions and complexities surrounding the conflict, as reported by Le Monde.