According to a media report, about two months after the start of the Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, the Islamist Hamas is causing increasing losses among Israel’s ground forces by turning to guerrilla tactics. This shows how difficult it is for Israel to eliminate Hamas as intended, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Fourteen Israeli soldiers were killed during the Christmas weekend alone. Meanwhile, Pope Francis called for peace during Christmas Mass in Rome.
More than 150 Israeli soldiers have already been killed
According to the Jerusalem Post, Israel’s war cabinet plans to discuss a proposal from Egypt to end the war this Monday. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the day before that the fighting would continue until there was a complete victory over Hamas. The Times of Israel reported that 153 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ground offensive began in late October. According to a military estimate, Israel claims to have killed about 7,860 terrorists in the Gaza war so far.
If the estimate is correct, the number of Islamist fighters killed would correspond to almost 40 percent of the total number of fatalities recorded so far in the Gaza Strip. The military’s information could not initially be independently verified. About 70 people have been killed in new Israeli attacks, according to the Hamas-controlled health authority. Several families in the Al-Maghasi refugee district have been affected. This too could not be independently verified. The Israeli army wanted to investigate the reports.
Military: Bodies of hostages recovered
They said the bodies of five of the hostages were recovered from a network of tunnels in the northern Gaza Strip. It was said that the remains of the men and women abducted from Israel on October 7 were found in a very extensive and deep tunnel system in the vicinity of the Jabalia refugee district. According to Israel, a number of Hamas terrorists are hiding in such tunnels and are also holding other Israeli hostages there.
The terrorists also use the underground routes to appear out of nowhere and attack from behind. Hamas is now attacking with cells consisting of just two to five fighters before ducking back into the tunnels, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing a senior Israeli officer.
Report: Hamas uses women and children
They also operated from civilian refugee bases and used women and children to gather information and transport weapons, it was said. Hamas also keeps weapons in hundreds of vacant houses. This allows their fighters to move freely, pose as civilians and grab their weapons at the last moment before an attack.
The increasing number of Israeli soldiers killed has led to internal criticism that Israel is endangering its soldiers by scaling back the use of force in response to US demands to limit civilian casualties, the Wall Street Journal reports. Israeli security officials and Prime Minister Netanyahu denied a change in tactics. A complete victory over Hamas is the only way to eliminate Hamas, return all hostages and ensure that the Gaza Strip no longer poses a threat to Israel, Netanyahu said on Sunday.
Report: Egypt proposes plan to end war
The Saudi TV channel Ashark News reported on the same day, citing informed sources, that Egypt’s proposal envisions ending the war in several stages. The first phase would therefore be about enforcing a ceasefire of at least two weeks. During this time, 40 hostages would be released. In return, Israel would release 120 Palestinian prisoners. Afterwards, a Palestinian dialogue would take place under the auspices of Egypt.
A third phase would then provide for a full ceasefire and a comprehensive agreement on the exchange of hostages and prisoners. As a final step, Israel would withdraw its army, while all displaced persons would be allowed to return to their homes.
What will be important on Monday
According to the Jerusalem Post, the Israeli war cabinet wants to discuss a proposal from Egypt to end the war in phases. Meanwhile, the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip continues to suffer the consequences of the ongoing heavy fighting. (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.
