LOC13:05
10:05 GMT
RAMALLAH, July 16 (KUNA) -- Israeli occupation forces announced on Wednesday that it has completed the opening of a new route in southern Gaza that effectively splits Khan Younis, the territory's second-largest city, into two parts.
The new 15-kilometer (Magen Oz) corridor in Khan Younis, which means (Shield of Courage), splits the city in a strategic move with military and political dimensions, Israeli occupation media said.
It noted that the eastern part is now under the control of the occupation and has been evacuated of its residents. It is almost empty, and its current situation is similar to the city of Rafah. The western part is still witnessing incursions and the pursuit of resistance fighters and includes the Al-Mawasi area, where there are nearly one million displaced people. Despite the continuation of operations there, the occupation's control over it is not complete.
The occupation forces seek to use the new corridor to pressure Hamas and the efforts being made to cease fire or to allocate the part it controls to establish what it calls a "humanitarian city" as a gathering place for Palestinians and to provide them with basic services under Israeli or international supervision. (end)
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