The Israeli army announced, on Monday, the restoration of control over all population centers around the Gaza Strip, following infiltration operations by militants affiliated with Hamas, classified as a terrorist movement, into Israeli towns since Saturday morning.
Reuters quoted an Israeli army spokesman as saying that some militants “are still in Israeli territory,” leading to sporadic clashes.
Al-Hurra’s correspondent stated, “There are still gaps in the border security fence,” pointing out the presence of Israeli military vehicles and tanks in the Gaza Strip.
The escalation began after the Hamas movement, which is listed on the US terrorist lists, launched a surprise attack on Israel at dawn on Saturday, launching thousands of rockets from the Gaza Strip, and hundreds of its militants infiltrated Israeli territory.
Since the start of the surprise attack, more than 700 people have been killed, most of them civilians, the Israeli army announced, including 73 soldiers.
Israel then carried out air strikes against Hamas positions in Gaza, which, according to the Ministry of Health in the Strip, killed 493 people.
Before announcing control of the towns, an Israeli army spokesman said that the fighting with Hamas militants in the country’s southern towns was “taking longer” than expected.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht said in a press conference: “Israeli forces are fighting Hamas militants in 7 to 8 locations outside the Gaza Strip,” 48 hours after the largest attack on Israel in decades.
He added: “It is taking longer than we expected to restore things, with regard to the defense and security situation… Some Hamas elements are still able to infiltrate Israel.”
#Israel #declares #control #towns #surrounding #Gaza
2023-10-09 10:04:02
