Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced on Monday (Jan. 15) that the Israeli forces have completed the “intensive phase” of their ground invasion in northern Gaza. He said they would now focus on “eliminating pockets of resistance” through various means, including airstrikes and special operations.
Meanwhile, Hamas claimed that two Israeli hostages, whose fate has sparked a nationwide campaign for their release, were killed by Israeli bombs. Gallant dismissed any calls for a ceasefire, saying that only military pressure could free the captives.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza, which began in late 2023, has caused widespread devastation and suffering for the Palestinian population. According to the UN, more than 23,000 people have been killed, most of them women and children. Over a million people face the risk of starvation and disease as the ongoing violence severely hampers humanitarian aid.
The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his alarm at the situation on Monday (Jan. 15), urging both sides to stop the fighting and allow the delivery of life-saving relief. He said that only seven out of 29 aid missions to the north of Gaza had been booming since the start of the year due to the presence of debris, unexploded ordnance, and heavy clashes.
The Israeli army said it would soon end its operations in the southern area of Khan Younis. Still, it indicated that the overall campaign in Gaza would continue until 2024. It reported that 189 of its soldiers had been killed and 1,099 wounded since the launch of the ground offensive.
© 2024 m10news.com Media