War in Gaza: Intense Conflict Continues as Israel Targets Hamas Commanders
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel's military has eliminated around 50% of the commander cadre within the Islamic extremist group, Hamas, operating within the besieged Gaza Strip. Netanyahu mentioned the statement during a conference briefing. Israel's Defense Minister Joav Galant added that Hamas is gradually losing grasp of the fortified coastal strip.
The Israeli army declared advancement into the core of Khan Yunis, the largest southern Gaza Strip city. The army’s request led to mass movement of hundreds of thousands of civilians in search of refuge from the previously contested north, towards the south territory.
Report: Israeli Offensive to Last Until January
Following CNN's report, the United States government is expecting Israel's ground offensive in Gaza to persist until early January. Citing senior officials, CNN detailed that Israel could transition to a less intensive, specialized strategy targeting specific Hamas terror leaders in several weeks.
The White House, as reported by CNN, is voicing concerns about the evolving situation, stating that an alarming increase in acts of violence has caused concern around tensions in the West Bank. U.S. entry restrictions for radical Israeli settlers have been implemented in response.
Settlement Tensions in the West Bank
In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel seized control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, in addition to other territories. Currently, around 600,000 Israelis reside within more than 200 settlements in these Palestinian-claimed territories. Matthew Miller, the U.S. State Department’s spokesperson, issued a statement on Tuesday regarding a surge in unsettling acts of violence in the West Bank.
Israel Urged to Allow More Aid into Gaza
Addressing the ongoing Israeli involvement in Gaza, Matthew Miller warned of insufficient efforts regarding humanitarian countless efforts to provide aid to the Gaza Strip. He urged Israel to improve the current situation by allowing for an increase in aid deliveries. The number of trucks currently arriving at the border totals 100 per day, with an objective to increase that figure.
UN Voices Concern over Israeli Attacks
The UN Human Rights Office expressed concern regarding Israeli attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure in Gaza. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health has reported over 16,200 casualties in Gaza. Although the figures cannot be independently verified at the moment, the authority's records have proven to be generally credible in the past.
Israeli Leadership Stays Defiant
Adopting a firm stance, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would not forget or forgive the atrocities carried out by Hamas and other terrorist groups on October 7, near the border with the Gaza Strip, which resulted in over 1,200 fatalities. Law enforcement forces have apprehended 138 hostages, according to the latest Israeli military reports.
The Israeli military takes aim at Hamas strongholds in the southern Gaza Strip, aiming to eliminate any potential threat. Critics, however, have taken issue with Israel's deployment of force in the restricted zone, with internationally recognized voices such as the United Nations and various human rights organizations drawing attention to the situation.
Biden Condemns Hamas' Sexual Violence
Joe Biden, the U.S. President, condemned the sexual assault perpetrated by Hamas against women in recent attacks in Gaza. In a statement, Biden expressed concern over the horrific accounts from survivors and witnesses of October 7.
Gaza Situation on January 19
As of January 19, hostages held by Hamas and other extremist groups in Gaza remained unaccounted for. The Israeli army continued to take action among Hamas strongholds within the Gaza Strip. Israeli-Lebanese tensions heightened as a result of renewed shelling on the Lebanese-Israeli border, resulting in the death of a Lebanese soldier, marking the first fatality of the conflict.
