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Tuesday marked the 25th day since the major Hamas attack on Israel. The Israeli army is increasingly going on the offensive. In addition to air strikes, ground operations are now also taking place within the Gaza Strip. How are they progressing? Blick provides an overview of the current situation and answers three central questions.
Where are the Israelis currently attacking?
Since last Friday, the Israeli army has been advancing into the Gaza Strip with hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles – and is making good progress. On Monday, Israeli troops entered the center of the Gaza Strip. According to “Bild,” a three-kilometer-deep advance near the city of Zaytoun south of Gaza City aimed to establish a checkpoint on the “Salah al Deen” road, a central axis in the Gaza Strip.
The four-lane highway is the only highway connecting the north of the Gaza Strip with the south. Hamas has confirmed this move.
A video circulating on social media shows a civilian-looking car approaching Israeli tanks on Salah al Deen Street. A white vehicle turned around and was shortly afterwards struck by a tank ball.
According to Bild, an Israeli army ground operation also took place north of Gaza City on Monday. On Monday there were clashes between soldiers and Hamas terrorists near the city of Atatra. Satellite photos published by the New York Times on Tuesday also show that Israeli tanks have reached Gaza’s ‘Al-Bahr’ Street and were able to penetrate up to 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) into the Gaza Strip. The ‘Al-Bahr’ road runs from the coast through Gaza towards Jabalia. On Tuesday evening, Israeli military fighter jets again bombed Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
What could be the next steps of the Israeli army?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (74) clearly rejected international calls for a ceasefire on Monday evening. “It’s time for war,” he said.
Army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said in a situation update broadcast on X on Tuesday morning that Israeli forces would concentrate on the northern Gaza Strip. However, he also stressed that strikes could continue across the Gaza Strip.
The current offensive operations show: the Israeli army wants to encircle the northern Gaza Strip. Israel could try to block the main access routes to Gaza City.
The army leadership probably wants to divide the Gaza Strip in two and cut off the south of the Gaza Strip from the fighting areas in the north. So far, progress has mainly taken place in more rural areas. Larger cities such as Gaza City have so far been avoided. Despite Monday’s rapid advance, it is clear that the ground offensive is only just beginning.
What about the hostages?
According to the latest information from the Israeli army, Hamas terrorists kidnapped at least 245 people in the Gaza Strip on October 7. Four hostages were freed and a captured female soldier was released by the Israeli army on Monday. German Shani Louk (†22), a Hamas hostage, was declared dead. It is currently unclear how the hundreds of other hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip are doing.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
