Image source: AP Photo
Delhi, Jan 07: The Israeli military on Saturday, declared the “dismantling” of the Hamas command structure in northern Gaza after a four-month conflict between Israel and Hamas. According to Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the operation resulted in the death of around 8,000 militants in that area. The focus has now shifted to dismantling Hamas in the central and southern parts of Gaza, with Hagari stating that Palestinian militants will operate sporadically and “without commanders.”
In a separate incident, at least six people were reported killed during an Israeli raid in the occupied West Bank’s Jenin, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The overall conflict has seen ongoing hostilities, displacing most of Gaza’s 2.3 million population and causing significant damage to homes and civilian infrastructure. The death toll in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry, stands at 22,722, with a majority being women and children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s commitment to continuing the campaign to “eliminate Hamas, return our hostages, and ensure that Gaza will no longer be a threat to Israel.” The conflict has led to widespread protests against Netanyahu’s government, with demonstrators calling for the return of Israeli hostages in Gaza, the dissolution of the Israeli parliament, and the holding of an early election.
Regarding the Israeli military’s assertion that “refugee camps in the central Gaza Strip are crowded and full of terrorists,” and the statement that Khan Younis in southern Gaza has an elaborate underground network of tunnels, Hagari did not provide specific details but mentioned that a different approach would be taken for dismantling Hamas in central and southern Gaza.
It is noteworthy that Israel has faced criticism from various countries due to the escalating death toll and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.
