Israeli Army Engages in Intense Battle with Palestinian Fighters in Gaza Strip
Amidst fierce resistance from Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army has been forced to retreat from areas it had recently advanced into. The clashes have resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with dozens of Israeli soldiers killed or injured.
In response to the Israeli incursion, Hamas’ armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, launched numerous attacks using rocket-propelled grenades against Israeli soldiers, military vehicles, and tanks, particularly in the northern area of Gaza City. The Al-Qassam Brigades’ spokesman, Abu Obeida, stated that their fighters have successfully destroyed 24 Israeli military vehicles in the past two days.
Israeli forces withdrew from positions they had gained in the Al-Maqqousi area in northern Gaza City and the northern part of the al-Shati refugee camp, relocating to the Al-Amrikiyah area northwest of Beit Lahia. This retreat of approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) brings them back to the initial point they reached on the first day of the ground operation on October 27. The area where Israeli forces retreated is predominantly agricultural, situated away from residential and populated areas.
Simultaneously, in the southern part of Gaza City, the Israeli army continued to shell the Al-Zaytoun and Tal al-Hawa neighborhoods using warplanes and artillery. They maintained their position around 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the coastal road, also known as Al-Rasheed Street, in southwestern Gaza City.
The Israeli military’s objective appears to be advancing from the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood towards northern Gaza. The level of destruction inflicted upon the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood suggests the potential preparation for future ground advances from that area. This strategy resembles the 2008-2009 Israeli ground operation, during which forces advanced from eastern Gaza into the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood. Eventually, they reached the vicinity of the Al-Quds Hospital in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, which has also experienced heavy Israeli bombardment in recent days.
Meanwhile, Yoav Galant, Israel’s defense minister, declared that Israel would continue its operations in Gaza until achieving victory, even if it took a year. Galant stated, After this war, no threat will remain in Gaza that will be able to terrorize Israel from the southern border. We’ll have full operational freedom to act within the strip.
The casualties resulting from the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip since October 7 have been immense. According to Salama Marouf, the head of the Gaza Media Office, the death toll stands at 9,500, including 3,900 children and 2,509 women. On the Israeli side, almost 1,540 people have been killed.
As the conflict continues, both sides remain engaged in a fierce battle for control. The situation in Gaza remains volatile, with no clear resolution in sight.
