Beirut, May 19 (UNI) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called on the residents of the Khan Yunis, Bani Suheila and Abasan municipalities of the Gaza Strip to evacuate as it was preparing to launch and "unprecedented" military operation, IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee said on Monday.

On Sunday, the IDF announced the launch of large-scale ground operations in the Gaza Strip as part of Operation "Gideon's Chariots" aimed at defeating Palestinian movement Hamas.

"To the residents of Khan Yunis, Bani Suheila and Abasan municipalities: the Israel Defense Forces will launch an unprecedented strike to destroy the potential of terrorist organizations in these areas," Adraee said on X.

The region of Khan Yunis is declared a zone of "dangerous hostilities," the spokesman added.

"Terrorist organizations have brought trouble on you - for your safety, evacuate immediately," Adraee said.

In early May, amid a stalemate in negotiations, the Israeli authorities announced that the military operation in the Gaza Strip would be significantly expanded in order to increase pressure on Hamas. The operation dubbed "Gideon's Chariots" was expected to include seizing and holding new territories, mass displacement of Gaza residents from the north to the south and intensified strikes on militant targets.

On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Hamas changed its position regarding the talks and returned to discussing the release of hostages following the announcement of the Operation "Gideon's Chariots."

On March 18, Israel resumed strikes on the Gaza Strip, citing Hamas' refusal to accept the US plan to extend the ceasefire, which expired on March 1. In early March, Israel cut off electricity supply to a desalination plant in the Gaza Strip and barred entry to trucks carrying humanitarian aid.

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