Israeli Troops Conduct Raids Inside Gaza, Clashes with Hamas Militants Leave One Soldier Dead
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JERUSALEM — Israeli troops, accompanied by tanks and armored engineering vehicles, carried out daring raids inside the volatile Gaza Strip on Monday. The clashes with Hamas militants resulted in the unfortunate loss of one Israeli soldier, while three others sustained injuries. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, addressed reporters, stating that the armed and infantry forces were engaged in a fierce battle within the Gaza perimeter. Hagari revealed that the operation primarily aimed to neutralize terrorist cells in preparation for the upcoming phases of the conflict.
The raids were conducted simultaneously with massive airstrikes by Israeli air, naval, and ground forces across Gaza. The Israeli military had pre-warned 1 million Palestinians living in Jabalya in the north to evacuate the area due to the impending strikes. Similar warnings were issued for Khan Younis and Rafah in the south, officially declared safe zones by the IDF.
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The IDF revealed that over the past 24 hours, they had targeted and engaged 320 sites in Gaza, including tunnels and command centers operated by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza reported a tragic loss of life, stating that 5,087 individuals have been killed in the region since the war began. Shockingly, this number includes 2,055 children and 1,119 women. Furthermore, the ministry mentioned that 436 people lost their lives in the last day alone, with the majority of casualties in the supposedly safe zones of southern Gaza. It is important to note that these figures are yet to be verified independently.
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The overnight raids conducted within Gaza should not be misconstrued as the start of a large-scale ground invasion. Instead, these were small, precise incursions with a limited number of soldiers. In a recent operational briefing at the Israeli Air Force Operations Command and Control Center, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant addressed the gathering and declared that the ground campaign in Gaza could potentially last anywhere from one to three months. Nevertheless, he expressed unwavering confidence that Hamas would be completely eradicated by the end of the conflict.
The United States pledged its support, with President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreeing on the continuous provision of critical aid to Israel. In line with this commitment, trucks carrying supplies made their way into Gaza through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt. On Monday, an additional 20 trucks arrived, carrying essential resources for the people of Gaza.
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Gaza has received some aid in terms of food and medicine, but fuel supplies remain insufficient. Fuel is crucial for running electricity generators, which provide lighting, water pumping, and transportation facilities such as ambulances. Israeli soldiers previously entered the Gaza perimeter after the devastating attacks by Hamas on local communities on October 7, so the recent raids were not the first of their kind. During these incursions, one Israeli soldier was tragically killed, while three others were injured.
According to Hagari, the soldiers were engaged in a search operation for missing Israelis and were clearing an area when they came under attack. The armed wing of Hamas, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, confirmed that their fighters engaged the infiltrating Israeli force, managing to destroy two bulldozers and a tank, consequently forcing the Israeli troops to retreat.
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The Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have left countless buildings in ruins. In the latest strike on Monday morning, a residential building in Jabalya was hit, resulting in the deaths of 17 individuals, with dozens more sustaining injuries. The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza stated that among those killed were 11 members of Khail Abu Yahia’s family, including six children. Abu Yahia expressed his anguish over the loss and mentioned that the death toll was expected to rise, considering the severe injuries some bodies suffered. He further emphasized that the children were at home due to the ongoing conflict, instead of attending their exams at school.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding the strikes in Jabalya. Abu Yahia shared that some of his family members had fled the south but returned to the north due to heavy bombardments there. He expressed his shock and sorrow, stating that people were being targeted in supposed safe zones that they were urged to seek refuge in.
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Israeli officials continue to implore Palestinians to evacuate the north, emphasizing that Israel will intensify its attacks to ensure the safety of its forces during the forthcoming stages of the war. Meanwhile, the people of Gaza are trapped with nowhere safe to go. As despair and anger rise, many Israelis demand the complete destruction of Hamas and their forces. Despite the mounting death toll, Abu Yahia emphasized that it only strengthens their resolve to persevere in their struggle against oppression.
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Claire Parker in Cairo contributed to this report.