- Israel dismantles Hamas
- International pressure rises
- Conflict’s regional impact grows
Israel has “dismantled” Hamas in the northern portion of the Gaza Strip, indicating that it is prepared to cease its bombardment of that area.
The military spokesperson’s assertion that Israel has neutralized the Palestinian armed group to the north of the enclave provides further evidence that the country intends to transition to a more targeted military strategy. On Sunday, high-ranking European and American envoys toured the region, heightening international pressure in response to the Gaza humanitarian crisis and escalating death toll.
The spokesman stated that after eliminating approximately 8,000 Hamas fighters, Israeli forces have now entirely dismantled the “military framework” in northern Gaza and will cease significant combat operations.
He further stated that Hamas militants “without a framework and commanders” are still present and that dispersed fighting and the sporadic launch of rockets at Israel are to be anticipated. He stated, however, that Hamas no longer operates in the region in an organized fashion.
An army spokesperson stated that the organization will “continue to deepen the achievement” in the region without elaborating on future personnel deployments in northern Gaza.
Nonetheless, the assault is expected to continue in the remainder of the enclave. This includes the southern portion, which Israel previously forced Palestinians into while labeling it a safe zone.
“Our current objective is to eliminate Hamas from the area south and central to the Gaza Strip,” said the spokesperson.
In reaction to Hamas’ October 7 strike, Israel launched a ground, drone, and missile offensive. The attack claimed the lives of approximately 1,140 Israeli citizens and resulted in the capture of 240 others.
The latest Gaza casualty figures show almost 58,000 injured and approximately 23,000 dead. There are rumours that many more are missing, buried beneath the rubble of destroyed structures. As a result of displacement, most of the 2.3 million inhabitants are in dire straits for food and shelter.
Overflow spillover
These numbers and the humanitarian disaster have put Israel under pressure for weeks to stop its indiscriminate warfare.
It has been reported that the United States is Israel’s primary ally. Tel Aviv is under U.S. pressure to end its heavy shelling and civilian losses.
Yet Israel has maintained its belligerent stance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has held that the conflict will continue until the goals of Hamas destruction, the return of Israeli hostages, and the cessation of hostilities in Gaza are achieved.
The military spokesperson reaffirmed this position: “Combat will continue throughout 2024.” Our operations are in alignment with a strategic strategy aimed at accomplishing the objectives of the war, which is to dismantle Hamas in both the northern and southern regions.
Nonetheless, the likelihood that the conflict will ignite a regional conflagration appears to be increasing as the death toll rises. The occupied West Bank, the Israel-Lebanon border, Iraq, Syria, and the Red Sea are all engulfed in flames of violence.
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EU Secretary of State Josep Borrell is presently stationed in the Middle East.
He aims to avert a regional conflict resulting from Israel’s high-intensity campaign, along with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Blinken is on his fourth visit to the region in the past three months. He urges Israel to adjust its Gaza military operations to maximize humanitarian relief and reduce civilian casualties.
Although Washington supports Israel with billions of dollars, many in the region believe it should do more to control it. King Abdullah of Jordan cautioned the United States secretary of state on Sunday that the continuance of Israel’s military campaign could have “catastrophic consequences.”
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