Israeli forces have dropped leaflets warning Palestinians in southern Gaza to evacuate, according to residents in the city of Khan Younis. The leaflets have raised concerns that Israel is planning to expand its offensive to the south, where many Palestinians have already fled to escape the bombardment. The leaflets warn civilians to evacuate and state that anyone near military positions is putting their life in danger. Two reporters from the Associated Press have confirmed seeing the leaflets. The Israeli military has not commented on the leaflets, but Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that the ground offensive will eventually include both the north and the south, and that Hamas will be targeted wherever it is. Similar leaflets were dropped in northern Gaza before Israel’s ground invasion. Expanding operations to the south could worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 1.5 million people have been displaced and supplies are dwindling. Communication services in the south were also interrupted due to a lack of power. The ground invasion began on 26 October when tanks and troops entered northern Gaza. The Israeli military has claimed that over 1,200 people were killed in the conflict and 240 taken hostage.
