They were considered invincible: Hamas’s last strongholds are on the verge of being conquered

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Since the end of the ceasefire, bombs have been falling everywhere in the Gaza Strip. Heavy fighting is reported, especially in the southern city of Khan Yunis. Explosions were also reported in Rafah, near the Egyptian border.

In addition to the new series of attacks in the south, the Israeli army also remains active in the north. On Monday evening, Defense Minister Yoaw Gallant (65) announced that the last two strongholds in the north were about to be captured: “We have surrounded the last Hamas strongholds in Jabalia and Shejaiya. The battalions that were considered invincible and had been preparing to fight us for years are about to be destroyed.

He went on to say that hundreds of Hamas members had surrendered in recent days, showing “that their fighting spirit has been broken.” Hamas denies that its members are surrendering.

The fighting in Jabalia continues

There has been heavy fighting in Jabalia since the ground offensive began. The army suspects that there is an important Hamas stronghold there and is striking hard. Images of a large crater in the middle of the refugee camp went around the world. The Indonesian hospital, which is close to the camp, was also stormed by the Israelis.

On Monday, soldiers said they had discovered a Hamas training ground in a mosque. An army video shows a room that Hamas is said to have used for combat simulations. Weapons, a computer and a projector were reportedly found inside. According to the military, equipment used to make explosives was found in another room.

The military also claims to have discovered a rocket launch site in Jabalia that fired rockets at the Israeli town of Sderot. A truck with long-range missiles was also reportedly discovered near a school. The Israeli Air Force shot down the post with a military aircraft.

Airstrikes in Shejaiya

Fighting is also taking place in Shejaiya, a southern district of Gaza City. According to the Israeli army, fifteen tunnel shafts were uncovered there last week. Airstrikes were also launched after the military said it had identified Hamas fighters with shoulder-fired rockets.

The soldiers also reportedly managed to kill the commander of the Shejalia battalion, Emad Krikae. The army said on Twitter: “After the elimination of the previous commander, Krikae took over the position. Previously, he was deputy commander in charge of anti-tank missile training at the Gaza City Brigade.

Last week, several Hamas members were also said to have been killed, who, according to the army, shot at Israeli soldiers from a school. But civilians are also repeatedly victims of the fighting. More than 18,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7. The Israeli military says about 7,000 of them were members of Hamas. This means that about 60 percent of the dead were civilians.

Source: Blick