The Israeli army claims to have taken “operational control” of the Gaza port, a key infrastructure in the Palestinian territory, on Thursday, November 16, on the 41st day of the war between Israel and the Islamist movement Hamas. The IDF also continues its operations at Al-Chifa Hospital, the main hospital in Gaza. According to the Israeli army, it is a strategic Hamas military site. But thousands of civilians are also congregating at the site, raising serious international concerns. The Israeli army confirmed on Thursday morning that its “soldiers” were still stationed inside the establishment. Follow our live stream.
Evidence presented by the IDF. The Israeli army claims to have found Hamas “ammunition, weapons and military equipment” at the hospital. It has published images of weapons, grenades and other equipment allegedly found in al-Chifa. The AFP could not independently verify these claims.
International concerns. American President Joe Biden urged his ally overnight to be “extremely careful” in carrying out his operation at Al Chifa hospital. Emmanuel Macron condemned “with the utmost firmness” the bombing of civilian infrastructure in Gaza.
Five injured near Jerusalem. Israeli police said they had “neutralized” an attacker after a “shootout” near a security checkpoint linking Jerusalem to the occupied West Bank.
New assessment. The Israeli army announced the deaths of two new soldiers in fighting in the Gaza Strip, bringing to 50 its total number of soldiers killed in Palestinian territory since the start of the war with Hamas.