In a grim turn of events, the Israeli armed forces have unearthed the remains of five hostages within a sprawling tunnel network beneath Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip. Two of these unfortunate individuals had already been located weeks prior, followed by three more discoveries in subsequent days. This grim discovery comes after Hamas had seized the captives on October 7th.
This vast underground labyrinth served as a pivotal command center for Islamist Hamas in the northern region of Gaza, according to the military. This information was shared by spokesperson Daniel Hagari, who further revealed that the horrific October 7th attacks were orchestrated from this location. The military's claims remain unverified at this juncture.
Fifty meters below ground, the tunnel system housed an intricate network of two levels. These subterranean quarters were filled with an arsenal of weapons, equipment for weapon manufacturing, and living accommodations. The army, in conjunction with the media, released footage depicting the tunnels, which were subsequently demolished to ensure Hamas's inability to utilize them for future attacks.
In the midst of the ongoing conflict, the loss of Israeli soldiers continues to persist. At least 486 soldiers have perished since October 7th, with around a third of those fatalities occurring within the past three weeks, following the initiation of the ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on October 27th. Despite these tragic losses, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains steadfast in his commitment to defeating Hamas, freeing all hostages, and ensuring the protection of his nation from future threats emanating from Gaza.
During a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu reiterated his unwavering resolve. He confirmed that the United States was cognizant of his objectives, dismissing claims that the US had urged Israel to alter its strategies towards Hamas. Regardless of external pressures, Netanyahu asserted that this conflict would be prolonged, emphasizing, "This will be a long war."
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With this revelation, the Israeli army continued their search for additional hostages, as six individuals were initially reported to be held captive in a tunnel complex in Khan Younis. After the complex's bombing, reports surfaced of the hostages succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning, although their bodies displayed signs of blunt force trauma and torture at the hands of their captors. For Hamas, these tunnels served as essential platforms for their military operations, serving as hideouts for senior figures and enabling them to conduct clandestine activities undetected. The Israeli military deployed aggressive strategies, such as deploying bunker-buster bombs to forcefully destroy parts of the tunnel network and trap their adversaries, leading to tragic gas-induced fatalities.
