GAZA STRIP, (Palestinian Territories): The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Monday that an Israeli operation in Khan Yunis killed 70 people and wounded more than 200, after the Israeli military warned it would “forcefully operate” in the area.

The military warning affected the eastern Khan Yunis sector of the Al-Mawasi humanitarian zone in southern Gaza and sent thousands of Palestinians fleeing.

The military said it would act to curb rocket fire in the area. Khan Yunis had already seen heavy fighting earlier this year.

Israel sends tanks back into Khan Younis area, 49 killed after new evacuation order

The latest incident comes nine days after the health ministry said 92 people were killed in a strike on Al-Mawasi, when Israel said it was targeting Hamas’s commander. The evacuation order for the Al-Mawasi area came just two months after the Israeli military directed Palestinians there for their own safety.

“Due to the Israeli occupation’s attacks and massacres in Khan Yunis governorate from the early hours of this morning until now, 70 people have been martyred and more than 200 wounded,” the Gaza health ministry said.