Israel’s assault on Khan Younis that killed at least 89 Palestinians, most of whom are women and children, is one of its bloodiest attacks yet as “Israel’s crime of genocide continues to unfold”, the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor has said in a statement.

The monitor noted that every time there is talk that a truce will be reached, “the Israeli army purposefully increases the number of massacres and mass killings of Palestinian civilians”.

“This raises concerns that Israel is engaging in political blackmail by using the killing and displacement of civilians as a tool of pressure, as it has done repeatedly in recent weeks,” it said.

It noted that during the latest attack on Khan Younis, entire families were taken off the civil registry, including the Jabour and Harb families.

The monitor urged all nations to enact strong sanctions against Israel and end all political, financial and military support.