The death toll has surpassed 9,000 as Israeli troops continue their fierce battle against Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters for control of Gaza City, the largest population center in the enclave. The guerrilla-style combat has forced Israel into a ground war as it seeks to overthrow the Palestinian group entirely. Palestinian fighters of Hamas and its ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), have been utilizing underground tunnels to launch surprise attacks on Israeli tanks before retreating back into their extensive network. Videos and testimonies from residents confirm the intensity of the fighting.
Israel has suffered casualties as well, with the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Salman Habaka, the commander of its 53rd battalion. This marks the most senior Israeli officer killed since ground operations began in late October. In response, Israel has targeted and killed dozens of Palestinian fighters. The conflict is drawing closer to Gaza’s northern population hub, where citizens have been ordered to evacuate or risk being seen as “terrorist accomplices.” Israel has continued to carry out air raids in the area while amassing troops at the gates of Gaza City.
Israel acknowledges that Hamas has prepared extensively for the battle, setting up minefields and booby traps to impede access to the city. The terrain is heavily sown with these traps, making the progress for Israeli troops challenging. Gaza City residents have reported that Israeli forces have been shelling the city but have not yet breached its limits. The resistance from Palestinian fighters has been stronger than expected, posing a significant challenge to Israel’s advancement.
Ejaz Haider, a foreign affairs and military analyst, suggests that Israel’s strategy may involve deploying troops to saturate the area and inflict maximum damage on Hamas fighters. Meanwhile, Israel has also carried out air attacks on the densely populated Jabalia refugee camp, claiming to target Hamas’s Qassam Brigades leaders hiding there. Gaza’s authorities confirm that at least 195 Palestinians have been killed in these attacks, with hundreds more injured and missing.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas began when the Palestinian group launched a surprise assault on Israeli territory. Israel claims that approximately 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed by Hamas. In response, Israel’s bombardment of Gaza has resulted in over 9,000 deaths, including 3,700 children, according to Gaza authorities. The infrastructure of Gaza has been severely damaged, and hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced.
The growing death toll and dire humanitarian conditions have sparked criticism from world leaders, activists, and international bodies. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern that Israel’s “disproportionate attacks… could amount to war crimes.” Even the United States, Israel’s staunchest ally, has called for a pause in the conflict. President Joe Biden has urged caution and emphasized the need to protect civilians.
In an effort to address the situation diplomatically, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has planned his third visit to Israel since the war began. He intends to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to offer support while emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians. Additionally, after weeks of total blockade, a deal mediated by Egypt has allowed some foreign passport holders and severely wounded individuals to leave Gaza. However, many people are still waiting for their turn to cross the border, expressing their agony and desperation.
As the battle for Gaza City intensifies, the world watches anxiously, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire.
