The Israeli army says its ground forces have completely surrounded Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip, and are not considering a ceasefire.
"Our troops have completely surrounded Gaza City, the center of Hamas operations," Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said on November 2. "The idea of a complete ceasefire is not on the table."
Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip located in the northern part of the region, has become the focus of Israel's offensive against Hamas. The campaign has been intensified since October 27, when the IDF increased airstrikes and deployed troops and tanks into the area, focusing on targeting Hamas infrastructure.
"Our army has made impressive progress and crossed the outskirts of Gaza City. We are continuing to advance," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on November 2.
Explosions in Gaza as Israel intensifies attacks on November 2. Video : Reuters
Iddo Mizrahi, head of the Israeli engineering corps, said troops were encountering mines and booby traps in the city. “Hamas has learned and is well prepared,” he said.
Israeli army chief of staff Herzi Halevi also said the army had "deeply penetrated" into Hamas-held areas in Gaza and was "engaging in direct combat with the enemy".
Israel has lost 18 soldiers and killed dozens of militants since October 27, according to the military. However, Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas' armed wing, later said on television that Israeli casualties in Gaza were much higher than what the IDF had announced.
"Israeli soldiers will return in black body bags. Gaza will be a historical curse for Israel," Obeida said.
Residents said gunmen from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization, an ally of Hamas, emerged from tunnels in the Gaza Strip to attack Israeli tanks, then disappeared down the tunnel network.
Location of Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip. Graphic: Al Jazeera
The White House said President Joe Biden is calling for a humanitarian pause, including a “temporary, localized” ceasefire, not a full ceasefire. Beginning a new trip to the Middle East on November 2, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed that Washington is “determined to prevent any escalation” in the Israel-Hamas war.
Fierce urban warfare is taking place deeper inside Gaza, where Hamas has a network of tunnels stretching hundreds of kilometres. Global concern has been heightened by Israel’s retaliatory strikes, which it says have hit more than 12,000 targets in Gaza.
Health authorities in Gaza say more than 9,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, since Israel began its offensive on the Gaza Strip on October 7.
Devastation after Israel attacked Bureij refugee camp in Gaza City on November 2. Photo: AFP
Huyen Le (According to AFP , Reuters )
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