"Going All the Way"... Israel's Urban Warfare Tactics in Hamas Stronghold

Formalization of Urban Warfare
"No Ceasefire Without Hostage Release"
International Community Repeatedly Urges Truce
Netanyahu Hints at Prolonged Occupation

The Israeli military, which has surrounded the Gaza Strip governed by the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, has launched urban warfare. The Israeli government, which has designated Gaza City, the core area of the Gaza Strip, as the worst terrorist base in history, is determined to continue fighting despite the growing international anti-war sentiment. As the Israeli military carries out indiscriminate attacks in Gaza City, the scale of civilian casualties is expected to increase further.

According to major foreign media on the 7th (local time), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the retaliatory war that began after Hamas's preemptive attack as an "amazing success" in a TV speech that afternoon. He stated, "Gaza City is surrounded. Our troops are conducting operations inside, and we are increasing pressure on Hamas every day, every hour." He added, "Thousands of terrorists have been eliminated on the ground and in tunnels," emphasizing, "We have no intention of stopping (the attacks on Hamas). We plan to continue until the end."

On the 7th (local time), a vehicle was left burned out due to a Hamas airstrike near Netivot in southern Israel. [Image source=Xinhua Yonhap News]

On the 2nd, the Israeli military deployed a large number of ground forces to the Gaza Strip, the stronghold of Hamas, and began a siege. Since the Israeli government had not disclosed the exact locations of its forces after the ground invasion, the briefing on the operational situation in Gaza City on this day is seen as an official confirmation of the start of urban warfare.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also said in a live TV press conference just before Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech, "The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are now in the heart of Gaza City," calling it "the largest terrorist base ever." He specifically explained, "IDF forces have entered the Gaza Strip from the north and south, with armored vehicles, tanks, and engineers advancing."

He continued, "Commanders, Gaza Strip terrorists, infrastructure, bunkers, communication centers?all are being targeted with one goal in mind, and the noose is tightening around the Gaza Strip." Regarding a temporary ceasefire, he dismissed it, saying, "My top priority is the hostages held by the beasts. There will be no humanitarian ceasefire without the release of hostages."

The Israeli military released photos on the 7th (local time) showing ground operations in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. The Israeli Ministry of Defense stated that its forces have "entered the heart of Gaza City."
[Image source= Xinhua Yonhap News]

On the other hand, international anti-war sentiment is intensifying. Volker T?rk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement that "the past month has been a time of suffering, destruction, anger, and despair due to genocide," repeatedly urging the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire. Even the United States, a traditional ally that has consistently expressed support, is showing signs of withdrawing its backing due to Israel's retaliatory war.

As domestic public opinion grows critical of the U.S. government's passive response to Palestinian civilian casualties, President Biden and senior aides, preparing for next year's presidential election, have been meeting with Palestinian leaders and internal Muslim figures. It was reported that President Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu by phone the previous day, urging a three-day cessation of hostilities to facilitate the release of hostages.

The Israeli government is also showing intentions for a long-term occupation of the Gaza Strip. In an interview with ABC News the previous day, Netanyahu suggested the possibility of a long-term occupation, saying, "Israel could indefinitely hold overall security responsibility for the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million Palestinians." A British media outlet noted, "This is the first explicit 'reoccupation' statement made by Netanyahu since Hamas's invasion of Israel on the 7th of last month," pointing out that "this reflects a policy shift by the Israeli government regarding governance of the Gaza Strip."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.