Israel targets tunnels behind Gaza siege

2023-11-08 07:22:13, Kosova & Bota CNA

On Wednesday, Israeli ground forces in the Gaza Strip began operations to find and eliminate the extensive network of tunnels used by the Hamas militia that controls the enclave. This constitutes the next phase of the Israeli offensive, while thousands of Palestinians are reported to have been killed.

Israel has been conducting air and ground military operations since Hamas' October 7 armed attack on Israel that killed 1,400 people and took 240 hostages. The Israeli operation has divided Gaza into two parts.

Gaza City, the territory's largest and Hamas' main stronghold, is under siege. Israel says its troops have advanced into the heart of the city, while Hamas says its fighters have inflicted heavy casualties on Israeli forces.

Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said troops were using explosive devices to destroy a network of tunnels built by Hamas that extend several hundred kilometers under Gaza.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel had "targeted Hamas terrorists in Gaza, their infrastructure, commanders, bunkers and communications rooms".

Israeli tanks have faced stiff resistance from Hamas fighters who use tunnel networks to attack, two sources with Hamas and the Islamic Jihad militant group said.

News agencies cannot verify the parties' claims about the fighting on the battlefield.

Israelis have expressed concern that military operations could further increase the risk to hostages taken by Hamas believed to be held in the tunnels.

Israel has said it will not comply with calls for a ceasefire until the hostages are released. On the other hand, Hamas has stated that it will not stop fighting while Gaza is under attack.

"I challenge (Israel) if it has been able, up to this point, to cite any military achievements on the ground other than killing civilians," senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad told Al Jazeera television.

"Gaza is invincible and will remain a thorn in the throat of the Americans and the Zionists," Hmas official Ghazi Hamad said.

While Israel's military operation is focused on the northern half of Gaza, there have been attacks in the south as well.

Palestinian medical officials said at least 23 people were killed in two Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday in the southern cities of Khan Younis and Rafah. The announcements could not be independently verified.

Washington has supported Israel's position that a ceasefire would help Hamas militarily. But President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that he had asked Mr. Netanyahu to stop the fighting in advance./ VOA