Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that Israeli ground forces had penetrated the heart of Gaza City during a press conference on Tuesday. He emphasized that the ongoing conflict would persist until the Hamas rulers in Gaza were neutralized. Additionally, Gallant asserted that Israel would maintain security control over Gaza after the cessation of hostilities, with the aim of monitoring and countering security threats and protecting its interests.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas was initiated on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, involving the firing of thousands of rockets and the infiltration of Israeli territory. In response, Israel carried out airstrikes, ground operations, and punitive measures, which included a blockade of the Gaza Strip, according to the Xinhua news agency.
As a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict, there have been significant casualties. The Gaza Strip has witnessed the loss of 10,328 Palestinian lives, while on the Israeli side, over 1,400 individuals lost their lives, primarily due to the Hamas military attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7.
Fatalities among Israeli Soldiers in Gaza Ground Offensive Climbs to 31
The death toll of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since the military initiated its ground offensive in the Hamas-controlled enclave on October 27 has risen to 31, following the loss of another trooper in the intense fighting.
The soldier who lost his life was identified by the Israel Defense Force (IDF) as Sergeant First Class (res.) Yaacov Ozeri, a member of the Artillery Corps, aged 28, hailing from Kfar Shamai, a moshav (settlement) in northern Israel.
The IDF also reported that two soldiers sustained serious injuries during the overnight combat. Meanwhile, the IDF confirmed that they have entered Gaza City and are currently engaged in a fierce battle with Hamas militants.
The Prime Minister's Office corroborated this development, and the military has urged the civilian population in Gaza City to relocate to the southern part of Gaza to minimize the risk of civilian casualties. According to the IDF, 800,000 people have already moved southward.
(With Agency Inputs)
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