"Aftermath of Israeli Offensive in Gaza's Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah"

Israeli forces have withdrawn from eastern Khan Younis after a 22-day military operation, leaving a trail of destruction behind.

A boy stands amidst the rubble after Israeli forces withdrew from Khan Younis following a ground operation in the southern Gaza Strip. [Hatem Khaled/Reuters]

The Israeli military announced it has completed ground operations in parts of the Gaza Strip, leaving widespread devastation, while intensifying attacks in other areas.

On Friday, the military's Arabic spokesman, Avichay Adraee, stated that Palestinians who had been evacuated from parts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza and Deir el-Balah in the central region would be allowed to return. The military claimed to have killed 250 fighters during the operations, though no evidence was provided.

This announcement comes as the war nears the 11-month mark. Since October 7, Israel's offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, injured more than 90,000, and displaced the vast majority of the population.

The army indicated that Palestinians can now return to the neighborhoods of Hamad, al-Jalaa, and al-Qarara in Khan Younis. These areas were previously evacuated during Israel's armed operation in Khan Younis and were temporarily removed from what the military refers to as the humanitarian zone.