Israel Warns of Attack on Southern Gaza... Evacuation Leaflets Distributed in Khan Yunis

Leaflets Distributed in 4 Cities in Southern Gaza Strip
Estimated Over 100,000 Residents

The Israeli military, having secured control over the northern Gaza Strip through nearly three weeks of ground combat, has distributed leaflets urging civilians to evacuate ahead of a full-scale offensive in the southern region.

On the 16th (local time), according to local media including the daily Times of Israel, the Israeli military dropped leaflets in the area east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza. The leaflets contained warnings for residents of four small towns east of Khan Yunis?Bani Suhaila, Khuza, Abasan, and Karara?to evacuate.

Residents of the Gaza Strip injured by Israeli military bombings are at a hospital in Khan Yunis on the 15th (local time). [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The peacetime population of the four mentioned towns is estimated to be over 100,000. With residents from the northern region having evacuated to avoid the bombardment of the ground war, it is currently estimated that even more people are staying in these towns.

The Israeli military stated in the leaflets, "Due to the actions of the Hamas terrorist group, the Israeli military must respond in your residential areas," and added, "Those who are with or near terrorists are in danger of their lives, so for your safety, immediately evacuate to the designated shelters."

Prior to launching the ground offensive in northern Gaza, the Israeli military had distributed leaflets with the same content. Locally, there are expectations that the Israeli military, having secured control over northern Gaza including Gaza City through ground combat, will now launch a full-scale offensive in the south.

The Israeli military announced that it raided Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in Gaza, the day before, discovering a Hamas operations headquarters and weapons inside the hospital, and continues to conduct searches within the hospital on this day as well. Amid criticism that the military has not presented the 'smoking gun' (decisive evidence) proving that this hospital is a Hamas headquarters, the Israeli military has yet to provide substantial additional evidence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.