Truce talks set to resume next week as Israel launches new assault in Gaza

Israel has agreed to resume Gaza ceasefire talks next week at the request of international mediators as Palestinians on Aug. 9  tried to escape a new Israeli military operation in Gaza's main southern area.

Israel's military on Thursday said troops had begun operations in the area of Khan Yunis, the southern Gaza city from which Israeli soldiers had withdrawn in April after months of fierce fighting with Hamas.

Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli military extended evacuation orders for Khan Younis into areas not covered in the earlier announcement. New announcement told residents to evacuate from the entire eastern part of Khan Younis city.

Journalists reported initial strikes and clashes in the area.

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said that the Israeli army has intensified its policy of bombing schools used as shelters for displaced Palestinians in Gaza City, killing and injuring hundreds of them.

Just on Aug. 8, two attacks on school shelters in Gaza City killed at least 15 Palestinians and injured some 30 others.

In a report, the human rights group said that these attacks over the past eight days have killed 79 Palestinians.

After the military issued an evacuation order for parts of Khan Yunis, AFPTV images showed a crowd of people flowing through dusty, damaged streets on foot or on donkey and motorcycle carts piled with belongings as horns honked.

"We've been displaced 15 times," said Mohammed Abdeen.

Hamas's unprecedented October attack on Israel started the war in Gaza that has pulled in Iran-aligned groups in neighbouring countries. Following vows of vengeance after the killing of two senior militants, fears of a broader Middle East war have surged.

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