Last updated: 24.12.2023, 05:33 a.m.
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The Israeli army continues to fight in densely populated areas such as the southern city of Khan Yunis. © Mohammed Talatene/dpa
The war in the Gaza Strip continues over the Christmas holidays. Israel's army is now concentrating more on the terrorists' underground tunnels in the fight against Hamas. The overview.
Tel Aviv/Gaza - Israel's army has expanded its ground operations in the Gaza Strip over the Christmas weekend, according to its own statements, concentrating on the extensive tunnel network of the Islamist Hamas.
The troops are involved in "complex battles in densely populated areas" and are tracking down "terrorist infrastructures," especially in the tunnels underground, said army spokesman Daniel Hagari. The destruction of the tunnels in the southern city of Khan Yunis and other areas is time-consuming. Earlier, the military said it was getting closer to full control of the north of the coastal strip.
Biden to Netanyahu: Protect civilians
In order to alleviate the horrific suffering of the civilian population, the UN Security Council passed a resolution on Friday calling for an increase in humanitarian aid. On the other hand, the watered-down compromise text does not call for an immediate ceasefire.
The United States, Israel's most important ally, abstained from the vote. According to the White House, US President Joe Biden made it clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call that civilians, including humanitarian workers, must be protected at all costs.
Israel's Army Focuses on Hamas Tunnels
According to the United Nations, one in four Palestinians in Gaza is at risk of starvation. In recent talks with Israel's leadership, the U.S. government has repeatedly insisted on more targeted military operations that should focus on the leadership of Hamas.
According to Israel, this is hidden in the tunnels under the coastal area. In order to destroy them, for example, the technical forces in the southern city of Khan Yunis have been significantly strengthened, said army spokesman Hagari. The capacities of the division fighting there would be further expanded in the coming days.
Below the Gaza Strip, a whole network of tunnels stretches for many kilometers, in which, according to Israel, a number of Hamas terrorists are hiding and where hostages from Israel are also being held. In order to resist Israel's bombs from the air, some tunnels reach dozens of meters underground. At the same time, the terrorists use the underground routes to appear out of nowhere and attack from behind. Many of the tunnels are booby-trapped to kill Israeli soldiers who enter them.
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Israel: Numerous explosive devices unearthed
Since the beginning of the war, about 30,000 explosive devices, including anti-tank missiles and rockets owned by the Islamist Hamas, have been destroyed or confiscated, Hagari said. Israel's military had earlier announced that it had killed a senior Hamas official who was responsible for its own weapons supply.
Meanwhile, in the north, Israel says it is in the process of taking control of the area. However, the Wall Street Journal quoted Israeli military analysts as saying that such control does not mean that the military has eliminated Hamas' presence. Rather, Israel is only restricting Hamas' ability to carry out attacks. Because of the tunnels, Israel cannot consolidate its control over Gaza. Therefore, the army is now concentrating more on the tunnels, it said.
Israel: More than 700 terrorists detained
So far, more than 700 members of terrorist organizations have been captured in the coastal strip during the ground operation, Israel's military said on Saturday. Within a week, there were more than 200 alone. They were taken to Israel for interrogation. Some would have surrendered. Initially, the information could not be independently verified.
The war was triggered by the worst attack in Israel's history, carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups near the Gaza Strip border on October 7. On the Israeli side, more than 1200,20 people were killed as a result. Israel responded with massive air strikes and began the ground offensive at the end of October. According to Hamas' health authority in Gaza, more than 000,<> people have been killed in the area since then.
Rocket Alert in Northern Israel
Meanwhile, the sirens wailed again in northern Israel in the morning, the army announced. On the border with Lebanon, there had previously been renewed mutual attacks. Israeli soldiers attacked a military compound and other targets of the Shiite militia Hezbollah in the neighboring country, the army said. Several rocket launches and mortar shell attacks were reported from Lebanon to Israel. The Hezbollah militia is closely linked to Israel's arch-enemy Iran.
According to U.S. intelligence, he is deeply involved in the planning of attacks by Houthi rebels on ships in the Red Sea. According to the US Department of Defense, Iran is also responsible for a drone attack on a merchant ship in the Arabian Sea off the coast of India.
The Liberian-flagged oil and chemical tanker "MV Chem Pluto" was hit by an attack drone from Iran, the Pentagon in Washington announced. A fire on board the tanker had been extinguished. There were no deaths or injuries in the incident, the statement continued.
What is becoming important today
Israel's army is escalating its fighting against Hamas. For civilians, the situation is becoming increasingly dramatic due to the lack of relief supplies. Meanwhile, in the Holy Land, Christmas is celebrated quietly because of the war. Access to the West Bank city of Bethlehem is extremely restricted by Israeli army roadblocks. However, the midnight mass is to take place. Dpa