16-11-2023 (GAZA) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have asserted that their troops now hold control over the Gaza Port, seizing “operational control” in a significant move concerning one of Gaza Strip’s key infrastructures. The IDF’s statement on Thursday highlighted that in a joint operation over the past few days, soldiers secured control of the Gaza Port, meticulously inspecting all buildings in the port area.
This development comes as the Israeli Air Force, on Wednesday night (November 15), distributed leaflets in the eastern district of Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. The leaflets urged residents to evacuate to shelters for their safety, indicating impending military actions by the IDF in the region.
Reuters reported that approximately two weeks ago, the IDF had issued similar leaflets in the area. However, this time, Israel’s tanks conducted intense shelling in the eastern region. Khan Younis is situated in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, and tens of thousands of displaced individuals have sought refuge in schools and tents, leading to shortages of food and water and severe overcrowding. The leaflets listed names of communities, instructing residents to evacuate. The flyers warned that individuals near terrorists or their facilities would face life-threatening risks.
With two-thirds of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million already displaced due to the conflict, every available space in Khan Younis and other southern towns is filled with people. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, highlighted on Thursday that given the harsh living conditions, overcrowded living spaces, and inevitable outbreaks of infectious diseases and hunger, the situation appears dire.
Earlier, Israel had applied pressure on civilians in northern Gaza through leaflet distributions, compelling them to migrate south. Hundreds of thousands were forced to evacuate as many Palestinians fear that widespread displacement might become a permanent issue.
