ISRAEL/GAZA: On Wednesday, Israel’s ground forces in the Gaza Strip aimed to locate and disable Hamas militants’ extensive tunnel network beneath the enclave, marking the next phase in an Israeli offensive that has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.
Since Hamas militants killed 1,400 people and took around 240 hostages in an October 7th cross-border raid, Israel has conducted airstrikes on Gaza and deployed ground troops to effectively split the coastal enclave into two parts.
Gaza City, the primary stronghold of Hamas in the region, is surrounded. Israeli forces claim to have advanced deep into the densely populated city, while Hamas asserts that its fighters have inflicted substantial casualties on the invading troops.
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has stated that Israel has “one target- Hamas terrorists in Gaza, their infrastructure, their commanders, bunkers, and communications rooms”.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Chief Israeli Military Spokesperson, has stated that Israel’s combat engineering corps is using explosive devices to eliminate a tunnel network constructed by Hamas, which extends for hundreds of kilometres beneath Gaza.
Israeli tanks have encountered strong opposition from Hamas fighters who use the tunnel network to stage ambushes, according to sources from both Hamas and the separate Islamic Jihad militant group.
It remains challenging to independently verify the claims made by either side.
Israel is seeking to maintain control for an “indefinite period”
Israelis have voiced concern that military operations could further jeopardise hostages believed to be held in these tunnels. Israel insists on a ceasefire only when the hostages are released, while Hamas maintains that it won’t cease fighting as long as Gaza continues to be under attack.
Health officials in Hamas-ruled Gaza have stated that since October 7, over 10,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli airstrikes, with around 40% of those deaths being children.
Washington has supported Israel’s stance that a ceasefire could potentially benefit Hamas from a military perspective. However, U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned on Tuesday that he had encouraged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consider a temporary halt to the fighting.
Israel, so far, has not provided specific details about its long-term plans in the event that it accomplishes its stated objective of defeating Hamas. In one of his initial direct statements on the matter, Netanyahu stated that Israel would aim to assume security responsibility for Gaza “for an indefinite period” after the conclusion of the conflict.
Officials, however, stated that Israel had no desire to run the enclave. Israeli Defence Minister Gallant said that neither Israel nor Hamas would control Gaza once the battle was over.
Saudi Arabia is set to host gatherings of Arab and Islamic nations in the coming days to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as announced by the kingdom’s investment minister.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summit, marking the first such visit by an Iranian head of state since the easing of tensions between Tehran and Riyadh through a deal facilitated by China in March.
Hamas’ armed wing reported late on Tuesday that it had launched missiles at Tel Aviv, prompting the activation of rocket sirens in the Israeli city and other central Israeli cities.
In Tel Aviv, Israelis commemorated one month since the Hamas attack with a candlelight vigil at Habima Square, featuring photographs of the hostages. The event was a mix of emotions, with some individuals shedding tears while others sang or prayed.
According to U.N. figures, nearly two-thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been internally displaced, with thousands seeking refuge in hospitals and makeshift canvas shelters in hospital car parks.
Western nations and international organisations have been working feverishly to remove foreign nationals from the Gaza Strip and deliver supplies to the region.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that a humanitarian convoy encountered gunfire in Gaza City on Tuesday.
Following rerouting, the convoy successfully delivered medical supplies to Al Shifa Hospital. The ICRC described the incident as “deeply troubling,” noting that two trucks were damaged and one driver sustained minor injuries. It did not specify the source of the gunfire.
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