Gaza Reoccupation
Over 10,000 Palestinians have died since the invasion began, and Israel claims it has encircled Gaza City. President Joe Biden is urging a three-day pause in the fighting. The United States, through White House spokesperson John Kirby, has stated its non-support for the reoccupation of Gaza after the Israeli invasion concludes.
Kirby emphasized that President Biden believes a reoccupation by Israeli forces is not the right course of action. However, he also noted that the situation cannot return to the status quo of October 6, the day before Hamas initiated attacks against Israel, and that changes would be necessary.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel must assume ‘control’ of security in Gaza to prevent future attacks by Hamas, and he suggested this control would be extended indefinitely.
Kirby further expressed the need for a ‘healthy’ conversation regarding Gaza’s post-military operation condition and indicated that the U.S. government aligns with Israel’s view that the situation cannot revert to what it was before the Hamas attacks.
In response to Netanyahu’s statement, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant clarified that neither Hamas nor Israel would control the enclave. Additionally, there are reports that Biden is working to persuade Netanyahu to implement a three-day ceasefire to facilitate negotiations for the release of hostages.
Invasion Persists Amid speculations of Gaza reoccupation
Israeli ground forces in the Gaza Strip aimed to locate and disable Hamas militants’ extensive tunnel network beneath the enclave as the next phase of the Israeli offensive, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians. Since Hamas gunmen killed 1,400 people and took approximately 240 hostages in an October 7 cross-border raid, Israel has conducted aerial bombardments and deployed ground troops to divide the coastal enclave.
Gaza City, the primary Hamas stronghold in the territory, is now encircled. Israel claims its troops have advanced into the heart of the densely-populated city, while Hamas asserts its fighters have inflicted significant losses on the invading forces.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel’s sole target is “Hamas terrorists in Gaza, their infrastructure, their commanders, bunkers, and communications rooms.” Chief Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari mentioned that Israel’s combat engineering corps is using explosive devices to destroy a tunnel network constructed by Hamas, extending for hundreds of kilometers beneath Gaza.
Israeli tanks have faced robust resistance from Hamas fighters utilizing the tunnel network for launching ambushes, according to sources within Hamas and the separate Islamic Jihad militant group.
The validity of the claims from either side could not be verified.
