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Khan Yunis (Arabic: خان يونس) is a city and Refugee Camp in the southern part of the Gaza Strip . According to the Palestinian Central Bureau Of Statistics the city, its refugee camp, and its immediate surroundings had a total population of 200,704 in 1997 {Link without Title} . The refugee camp was founded in 1948 and initially held 35,000 refugees, mostly from villages in the Beersheva area. The number of refugees (including descendants) registered with UNRWA in mid-2002 was 60,662. An investigation made by UNRWA officials found that 275 civilians and eight UNRWA employees were killed in the camp on November 3 , 1956 during the Sinai War . An unknown number of those killed had been summarily executed. After Israel's withdrawal in March , 1957 a mass grave was found at Khan Yunis containing the bodies of forty people presumed to be Arabs, who had their hands tied and who were reportedly shot in the back of the head. ( Michael Palumbo , ''Imperial Israel'', p.31,36) KHAN YUNIS IN THE AL-AQSA INTIFADA It was the site of Israel i helicopter attacks in August 2001 and October 2002. Khan Yunis is known as a stronghold of the radical group Hamas . The northern part of Khan Yunis overlooks the Kissufim junction — one of the main roads for Israeli convoys. Buildings there have often been used by Militant s as sniping posts and Mortar bases to shoot settlers and soldiers. From Khan Yunis' northern buildings, two terrorists murdered Tali Hatuel on May 2 2004 , and the week after shot at her memorial service. One building was also used as cover for an Explosive -ladden tunnel, which blew up an Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) outpost on June 27 . After each attack, the IDF bulldozed some of the structures used by the terrorists. On December 16 , 2004 , the IDF raided the town with Armoured Bulldozer s and Tank s in order to stop mortar shelling of Israeli settlements. In the six weeks before the operation about 80 Mortar shells and Qassam Rocket s had hit Gush Katif , killing one Thai worker and wounding a dozen civilians and 11 soldiers. {Link without Title} The operation ended with about 14 Palestinians killed, most of them militants. As a result, Khan Yunis have been the target of frequent raids by the IDF, and heavy battles ensued in the area, leaving tens of Palestinians killed, many of whom were armed militants. SEE ALSO List Of Palestinian Refugee Camps REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS |
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