Netanyahu Declares Extended Campaign Against Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that the military campaign against Hamas, labeled a terrorist organization, is projected to extend over several months. This statement follows a period of intense conflict marked by significant casualties and a large-scale displacement of civilians.
Jordan Taylor
- 2023-12-30
- Updated 05:50 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - The war, which began with a Hamas attack on October 7, has led to the deaths of roughly 8,000 Hamas fighters, according to Netanyahu. Describing the situation as "complex," the Israeli leader outlined a strategy aimed at systematically dismantling Hamas's capabilities and targeting its leadership. The ongoing operations have seen Israel focus attacks primarily in the southern regions of Gaza, with substantial ground and air strikes on the city of Khan Yunis and combat reported near Rafah, close to the Egyptian border.
Israeli Ground Offensive and Civilian Exodus
Israel launched a significant ground offensive at the end of October as part of its strategy against Hamas. Recent days have seen an aggravation in the conflict, with the Israeli military executing evacuation orders in Khan Yunis which precipitated a mass exodus of civilians. Concurrently, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that around 100,000 people have fled to the Rafah area in the wake of the escalating violence.
Casualty Reports and Humanitarian Situation
The latest figures from the Hamas-controlled health authorities in Gaza suggest a sharp rise in casualties, with at least 187 individuals reported killed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total fatality count to approximately 21,700 since the conflict's inception. In addition to the fatalities, over 56,000 injuries have been recorded. On the Israeli side, the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7 resulted in around 1,140 deaths, demonstrating the extensive human cost on both sides of the conflict.
The campaign's duration, as envisaged by Netanyahu's statements, indicates that the region may yet face a prolonged period of strife. International observers continue to monitor the humanitarian situation closely, as both the Israeli military and Hamas forces prepare for what appears to be a protracted confrontation amidst a deeply challenging scenario for civilians caught in the conflict zone.
