Israel says it took control of Gaza City’s port

Jerusalem, Undefined – AFP

The Israeli army said on Thursday its troops had taken “operational control” of Gaza City’s port.

“In the past few days, in a joint operation, soldiers… took operational control of the Gaza harbour, which was controlled by the Hamas terrorist organisation,” the Israeli army said in a statement. “All buildings in the harbour area were cleared.”

– Patients suffering –

The death and suffering in the densely populated coastal territory has prompted growing concern for Gaza’s civilians, who have fled south to try to escape the heaviest fighting.

Gaza City’s Al-Quds Hospital was evacuated during the heavy fighting in the area, forcing patients to make their way south to other facilities.

“We were in pain along the road… I feel pain in the knee,” said Ahmad Abou-Sabra, wounded evacuee.

“The situation was bad, and the distance. We stayed in the army (checkpoint) for more than two hours,” he told AFP at at a Palestinian Red Crescent hospital in Khan Yunis.