IDF Spokesperson: ‘We are in the midst of a stubborn war;’ Soldiers Battle Hamas in Close-Quarters Across Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ground campaign within the Gaza Strip saw another day of intense, close combat urban fighting on Thursday while along Israel’s northern border, Israeli Air Force jets struck several Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after an anti-tank missile killed an Israeli civilian.
IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari reported IDF personnel engaged in combat in both the northern and southern areas of Gaza, particularly in Jabalya, Shejaiya, and Khan Younis.
“We are in the midst of a stubborn war along the entire Strip,” Hagari said during his Thursday evening press conference. Hagari indicated that in his visit to Khan Younis, he saw the 98th Division battling Hamas fighters, destroying the underground tunnels, and concurrently searching for the remaining Israeli hostages. Approximately 138 hostages are still held captive in Gaza by either Hamas or other aligned terrorist groups.
In Shejaiya, to the north, the IDF reports soldiers from the 36th Division enlisted in close-quarter combat against Hamas fighters who have embedded themselves in civilian buildings.
Across Shejaiya, soldiers from the Golani, Kfir, and 188th Brigades detailed discovering weapons caches and Hamas fighters within tunnel shafts hidden in residential buildings and schools while also eliminating dozens of Hamas fighters located in the structures.
IDF forces operating in Jabalya reported being fired at with anti-tank missiles before the target was struck by an IAF UAV.
According to a released statement, Hamas launched 12 rockets toward the Israeli city of Beer-Sheva on Wednesday. The attack was operated from an area right next to United Nations facilities in Rafah located within a pre-established humanitarian zone set up for evacuated Gazan civilians.
With Israeli military operations in Gaza reportedly nearing the end of their “high intensity” phase, US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer reiterated the Biden administration’s objection to a cease-fire at this time, stating: “Frankly, if the war were stopped today, [Hamas] would continue to pose [a threat], which is why we’re not in place yet of asking Israel to stop or for a cease-fire
