Baskadia

Dec. 11 (Reuters) -

Fighting between Israel and Hamas intensified throughout Gaza on Monday, escalating concerns raised by the UN over the weekend regarding a breakdown in public order and a mass exodus of Palestinians into Egypt. Since the conflict began over two months ago, the narrow coastal strip has been completely cut off by Israel, and the border with Egypt is the only alternative route out. The majority of Gaza's 2.3 million inhabitants have been forced from their homes, and locals claim that it is impossible to seek safety in the densely populated enclave, with approximately 18,000 people having already died and the fighting intensifying. Since the ceasefire broke down last week, Israel has launched a ground offensive in the south Israel began a ground invasion in the south last week after a week-long ceasefire broke down. Since then, it has advanced from the east into the centre of the large city of Khan Younis, with airplanes attacking a region to the west.

On Monday, there were severe battles in portions of northern Gaza, where Israel had said its responsibilities were nearly completed, and militants and several residents claimed that fighters were stopping Israeli tanks from going further west through the city.

Following further alerts of rocket fire from Gaza, including in Tel Aviv, Israelis retreated into shelters. "The Zionist massacres against civilians" prompted the bombardment of the city, according to the armed wing of Hamas.

Palestinians in Jabalia, in the northern section of Gaza, escaped after smoke bombs went off near tents and other homes.

On Monday, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adrienne made a fresh appeal on X for Gaza citizens to leave Gaza City and the surrounding northern regions, as well as Khan Younis in the southern region.

The statement advised people to evacuate for their own safety. "Residents of the Gaza Strip, the IDF operates forcefully against Hamas and terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, especially in the Khan Yunis area and in the north of the Strip," it stated.

According to U.N. officials, 1.9 million Palestinians, or 85% of Gaza's population, are internally displaced, and the conditions in the southern regions where they have gathered are appalling.

After making fruitless attempts to mediate a truce in Gaza, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres declared on Sunday that the territory was collapsing.

He said, "I expect public order to completely break down soon and an even worse situation could unfold including epidemic diseases and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt," at a conference held for international journalists in Qatar.