The Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip enters its ninth week with unabated brutality. The Israeli army continued its attacks on Sunday evening in the southern town of Khan Yunis, considered a Hamas stronghold, and in Jabalia in northern Gaza, the Times of Israel reported, citing Palestinian reports. Israeli National Security Advisor Zachi Hanegbi told Channel 12 the night before that about 7,000 Hamas terrorists had now been killed. Israel is hunting Hamas leader Jihia al-Sinwar, who wants Hamas to fight to the bitter end.
Israel: Prisoners report that Hamas has lost touch with reality
Shortly after the start of the war, Sinwar is said to have left in an aid convoy south of the closed coastal strip, Israeli newspapers reported, citing information from the KAN broadcaster. The Israeli army is giving the public the impression that Hamas is on the verge of collapse. Army spokesman Daniel Hagari said terrorists and Hamas commanders who surrendered said their fighters were in a “difficult situation” and that the Hamas leadership under Sinwar was “denying reality.” None of this information can be independently verified.
On Sunday evening, a video from the northern Gaza Strip circulated online, showing a suspected Hamas fighter, according to the Times of Israel. The man comes from a line of men who, like him, wear only their underpants, walks past a tank with their weapon raised and places it in front of an Israeli soldier. The scene shows the men surrendering to Israeli forces, the report said. However, her identity could not initially be independently verified.
The days before, Israeli media had published photos of dozens of Palestinians in their underpants arrested in the Gaza Strip. Their identity was also initially unclear. It is unclear whether more and more Hamas fighters will actually surrender and how many people Hamas will continue to command in the fight against the Israeli army from the extensive tunnel system under Gaza. In recent days, Hamas has continued to fire rockets into Israel.
Israel’s Army: Head towards command centers
Israeli units have moved very close to Hamas command centers in Jabalia and Shejaiya, Hanegbi said. A total defeat of Hamas would also pave the way for the liberation of 138 hostages from Islamist violence.
The US State Department is now moving ahead with the sale of nearly 14,000 tank munitions to Israel, bypassing a review process in the US Congress normally required for arms sales to other countries. The ministry is invoking an urgency clause in the Arms Export Control Act, according to a statement published on Saturday. The US had previously vetoed a draft resolution for a humanitarian ceasefire in the UN Security Council.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is becoming increasingly unbearable
Meanwhile, the situation of Palestinian civilians is becoming increasingly unbearable. According to the UN, half of the population in the Gaza Strip is now hungry. Children reportedly drink seawater due to a lack of clean drinking water. It was said that there were cases of diarrhea and other diseases in the emergency shelters. According to the director, the Nasser Hospital in the controversial city of Chan Yunis is no longer able to control the situation due to the many victims. “We have lost control,” Nahe Abu Taima told the BBC. Hundreds of injured and dead arrived at the emergency room.
Elections in Egypt overshadowed by war
The Gaza war is also overshadowing Egypt’s presidential elections, which start on Sunday. It is expected that the incumbent Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will win the elections again. There are concerns in Egypt that the Sinai Peninsula, which is part of the country and borders Gaza, could become the starting point for new attacks on Israel if residents of the coastal strip flee there because of the war. At the same time, the government in Cairo fears that a mass exodus could turn into permanent displacement.
Houthi rebels continue to threaten
Meanwhile, Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen have threatened to prevent ships of any nationality from passing through the Red Sea en route to Israel. On Saturday evening, a statement said that only cargo ships delivering aid to the Gaza Strip would be allowed passage. All others would become “legitimate targets of our armed forces.” Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have repeatedly attacked Israel using drones and missiles, among other weapons.
What will be important on Sunday?
The World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board meets in Geneva to discuss the situation in the Israeli-occupied territories. The presidential elections begin in Egypt. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
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.
