Moscow, December 11 – The southern part of the Gaza Strip was subjected to intense bombardment by Israel overnight, according to Al Jazeera. The area in Rafah in the southern sector of Gaza has been under heavy bombardment since early morning as the Israeli occupation expands its military operations in the south, the report stated. Additionally, sources from the channel claimed that the Israeli air force carried out a series of intense strikes east of the city of Khan Yunis. The Palestinian-Israeli conflict, driven by territorial interests, has been a source of tension and clashes in the region for decades. The United Nations, with active involvement from the USSR in 1947, decided to create two states – Israel and Palestine – but only Israel came into existence. A new wave of confrontation began after Hamas forces from the Gaza Strip fired at the Jewish state on the morning of October 7 and infiltrated border areas in the south, firing at both military and civilian targets, and taking hostages. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation “Iron Swords” in the Gaza Strip. Within a few days of the attack, the IDF gained control of all settlements along the border and began launching airstrikes on various targets, including civilian ones, within the enclave. In addition, Tel Aviv declared a complete blockade on Gaza, halting the supply of water, food, electricity, medicine, and fuel. The number of casualties in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 17,000, with over 48,000 people injured. In Israel, more than 1,200 people have died, including 20 Russians. After the ceasefire, Tel Aviv stated that there were still 126 Israelis and 11 foreigners held captive by Hamas, while 110 hostages were freed.
