The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have encircled Gaza City through a combination of ground, air, and naval operations, as their conflict with Hamas extends beyond a month. This ongoing conflict has resulted in a rising Palestinian death toll, and Israeli and foreign hostages taken by Hamas have not been released.
During a recent online briefing, IDF spokesman Peter Lerner stated, "The IDF have encircled Gaza city, the beating heart of the Hamas terrorist organisation," The IDF's strikes have been extensive, targeting Hamas-controlled tunnel and drone systems, although specific details were not provided.
The IDF claims to have eliminated ten senior commanders of the Palestinian militant group, which has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007, during their latest military operations in the besieged region. Lerner mentioned that Gaza has effectively been divided into two parts—north and south—due to ongoing Israeli raids aimed at distinguishing between civilians and Hamas militants. He also noted that there is no set time limit for the Israeli military's involvement in the conflict; the war is expected to be protracted.
According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, as reported by Middle Eastern media, over 10,000 Palestinians have lost their lives during the month-long war. Protests against Israeli airstrikes have occurred in various Western cities.
Lerner emphasized that Israel's air defence system has successfully intercepted the majority of rockets launched by Hamas towards Israeli residential areas during the conflict, with approximately 8,000 rockets fired. He highlighted that the system's effectiveness has prevented a significant number of potential casualties among Israelis.
The conflict began with Hamas' surprise attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in the loss of 1,400 lives. Israel has asserted that its northern border with Lebanon has experienced controlled actions by Hezbollah, another militant group that Israel regards as an Iranian proxy. However, there has been an increase in confrontations with Hezbollah forces recently, with rockets launched from Lebanon towards the Israeli port city of Haifa. In response to this, Israeli civilians were evacuated within a 5-kilometer radius of Israel's northern border.
Lerner urged Hezbollah to exercise restraint and take note of how the IDF is dismantling Hamas in Gaza. As the conflict persists, the fate of approximately 240 Israeli and foreign hostages taken by Hamas from Israel to Gaza remains uncertain. The IDF considers it a national priority to secure the safe return of these hostages, including children and the elderly. Israel has requested the International Red Cross to visit the hostages to ensure their well-being.
However, the mother of a young Israeli-American man who was abducted by Hamas on October 7, Rachel Goldberg, expressed her frustration during the same media briefing. She revealed harrowing details of her son's abduction, including the loss of his left arm just prior to being kidnapped and the tragic death of his close friend. Goldberg criticized the international humanitarian community for not taking urgent action to address the hostage crisis, which she believes is not receiving adequate attention.
(With agency inputs)
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