Fierce fighting in southern Gaza

2024-01-02 18:24:45, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip

Heavy fighting was reported in the southern Gaza city of Han Yunis on January 2, a day after Israel said it would withdraw thousands of troops from other areas of the territory.

Palestinians reported air and artillery attacks during the night and morning of January 2 in Han Yunis and areas near the border with Israel. Fighting has also been reported in and around Burej refugee camp in central Gaza.

Even in Gaza City, where most residents have fled and where Israeli troops have been fighting Hamas fighters for more than two months, residents have reported fighting in various neighborhoods, but also in the Jabalia refugee camp, located near.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the fight until Hamas - the Palestinian group designated a terrorist organization by the US and the EU - is destroyed and more than 100 hostages held by the radical group are freed. The Israeli leader said that the war could continue for several months.

But on January 1, Israel announced that it would withdraw thousands of troops from Gaza. The announcement came shortly before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to the region, as Israel faces international pressure to halt its offensive that has killed almost 22,000 Palestinians. Blinken has called on Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians.

Hamas killed 1,200 people and captured nearly 240 others during the Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel that sparked the war.

Israel is very close to taking operational control of northern Gaza and has said it will reduce the number of forces there. However, fierce fighting is taking place in the Palestinian territory, particularly in the south, home to many Hamas forces and most of Gaza's 2.3 million population who have fled fighting in the north.

Despite announcing the withdrawal of thousands of troops in the coming weeks for rest and training, the Israeli army has not said whether this decision represents a new phase of the war./ REL