Israeli forces continue to advance towards Gaza City. One expert believes Hamas is aiming for a bloody fight.
GAZA CITY – The Israeli army (IDF) says it has surrounded the largest city in the Gaza Strip in its battle against Hamas. The location is a “hot spot of the Hamas terrorist organization,” military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters on Thursday evening (Nov 2). Israel has been calling on civilians to evacuate south of the coastal zone, which has been sealed off for weeks.
The IDF reported that Hamas ambushed Israeli troops in the al-Tawam area, north of the Palestinian territories, and exited a tunnel, killing several soldiers, while advancing toward Gaza City. General Ido Mizrahi said his forces had already encountered booby traps and landmines. “Hamas is well trained and prepared,” he told the news agency Reuters.
In conversation with France24 Retired French general and military theorist Vincent Desportes has now commented on the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip – and warned of further traps from Hamas.
Israel Expands Attacks on Hamas in Gaza Strip
“Israel knows they are walking into a trap – a trap that Hamas has been preparing for years. “So Israel has to be very careful with this invasion.” That’s why Israel is advancing gradually, not with a massive offensive.
According to DeSports, Hamas relies on the same attacks behind Israeli troops. Their goal was not to kill a few soldiers, but to provoke the bloodiest possible battle to prevent the Israelis from attacking because of the high stakes. The international community can rise up against Israel and demand a cease-fire, even if the attack on civilians in the Gaza Strip has more devastating consequences.
Hamas says the number of Israeli soldiers killed is significantly higher than the IDF admits. The military has said 18 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground offensive escalated.
US Warns Israel of Bilateral Conflict
After Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, Benjamin Netanyahu’s government declared a state of war. President Herzog said Israel must “wipe out Hamas’s military infrastructure” — and ultimately wipe out the terrorist group itself. After several airstrikes – with many deaths, including Palestinian civilians – and weeks of preparation, Israel’s troops are now closing in on Gaza. City ahead. However, Hamas’ tunnel system poses a challenge to Israel’s military.
But the Israeli army is not only fighting in the Gaza Strip. In the north of the country, there have been clashes with Hezbollah along the Lebanese border since the start of the war in Israel. The IDF repeatedly reports attacks from Lebanon with anti-tank missiles, to which the Israeli army responds with artillery fire. Weeks ago, US President Joe Biden warned of a two-front conflict between Israel with Hamas in the south and Hezbollah in the north. (LRG/DPA)
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