Israel-Palestine Escalation
Israel was hit by an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on October 7, with Hamas movement's troops infiltrating border areas. On October 8, the Israeli government announced that it had invoked Article 40 of the Basic Law, which means the country was officially in a state of war.

Photos: Khan Yunis in Gaza Strip After Israeli Withdrawal

A day earlier, the Israeli Defense Ministry announced that it had destroyed the Palestinian movement Hamas as a military structure in the city of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip.
Sputnik
On Sunday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) withdrew its 98th Division from Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip, marking the end of ground operations in the enclave exactly six months after the October 7 attack.
According to an IDF statement quoted by local publications, military activity in Khan Yunis has recently decreased significantly, with only the Nahal Infantry Brigade remaining in the city.
Israeli army units will reportedly return to Khan Yunis "as necessary," and will launch and continue raids in other areas after receiving sufficient intelligence information.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack.
Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. According to local authorities, over 33,100 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.
Take a look at Sputnik Africa's gallery to see what Khan Yunis looks like after the Israeli withdrawal.
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Men ride a motorcycle past a destroyed building in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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Journalists film from atop a damaged building facing the ravaged building of Al-Salam hospital in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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This picture taken on April 7, 2024 shows a view of a heavily damaged building in Khan Yunis after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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A man walks past the rubble of a destroyed building in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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This picture taken on April 7, 2024 shows a view of the ravaged building of al-Salam hospital in Khan Yunis after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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A person holds a handful of spent bullet casings above a bigger pile in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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People ride on a tractor picking up salvaged items from a damaged building in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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This picture taken on April 7, 2024 shows graffiti left by Israeli forces inside a building in Khan Yunis after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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A man gestures as he rides a bicycle along a heavily damaged road past destroyed buildings in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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This picture taken on April 7, 2024 shows a view of a partially-collapsed building in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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Palestinians return to Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 to inspect their abandoned homes after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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Palestinians use a road in front of damaged buildings in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled troops out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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Men walk with bicycles along a heavily damaged road past a destroyed building in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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Two men sit in a donkey-drawn cart moving past the rubble of a destroyed building in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.

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People walk past the ravaged building of Al-Salam hospital (R) in Khan Yunis on April 7, 2024 after Israel pulled its ground forces out of the southern Gaza Strip.