Israeli evacuation helicopter landed northwest of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip

Israeli evacuation helicopter landed northwest of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip

An Israeli evacuation helicopter landed northwest of Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip on July 2, 2025, following an intense battle between Palestinian resistance fighters and Israeli forces. The incident highlights the ongoing conflict and the complex humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

The al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced that its fighters carried out a raid at dawn against a gathering of Israeli occupation soldiers and military vehicles in the Abasan al-Kabira area, east of Khan Younis. During the operation, the Brigades targeted a Merkava tank and an armored personnel carrier with Yassin-105 anti-armor shells. Two Israeli military excavators were also hit during the same operation using similar munitions. The group attempted to capture an Israeli soldier but was unable to do so and seized the soldier's weapon instead [2].

The landing of the Israeli evacuation helicopter underscored the intensity of the battle in the targeted area. The Al-Qassam Brigades noted that five days earlier, they had targeted a Merkava tank in the same region with a powerful improvised explosive device (IED), highlighting the sustained resistance activity in eastern Khan Younis as Israeli occupation forces continue their ground operations in Gaza [2].

The incident comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions and humanitarian crises in Gaza. European officials recently reached a new deal with Israel to allow desperately needed food and fuel into Gaza, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said Thursday, hours after an Israeli airstrike killed 15 people, including 10 children, waiting for help outside a medical clinic. The children's deaths drew outrage from humanitarian groups even as Israel allowed the first delivery of fuel to Gaza in more than four months, though still less than a day’s supply, according to the United Nations [1].

The Israeli military said it was targeting a militant when it struck near the clinic. Security camera footage outside the clinic in the central Gaza city of Deir al Balah showed about a dozen people squatting in front of the clinic when a projectile explodes a few meters (yards) away, leaving bodies scattered [1].

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to leave Washington after meetings with President Donald Trump, apparently without finalizing a temporary ceasefire advocated by the White House. The deal announced by European officials could result in more crossings open, aid and food trucks entering Gaza, repair of vital infrastructure and protection of aid workers [1].

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with experts warning that the strip is at risk of famine, 21 months into the Israel-Hamas war. The UN has called for urgent action to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe [1].

References:

[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/world/middle-east/europe-unveils-deal-food-fuel-gaza-israel-strike-clinic-rcna218214
[2] https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/al-qassam-launches-raid-on-israeli-forces-in-khan-younis