The Israeli military has stated that it may require several months to establish control over a crucial city in southern Gaza due to Hamas guerrilla tactics, resulting in a rising number of casualties among Israeli forces. In the past three days, at least 16 Israeli soldiers have been killed across Gaza.
The military’s current focus is on targeting Hamas leaders and dismantling the organization’s extensive tunnel network.
On Saturday, four Israeli soldiers lost their lives to improvised explosive devices, and another four were killed by an antitank missile fired at their armored vehicle, as reported by Israel’s state-owned Army Radio and partially confirmed by the military.
Five additional soldiers were killed in various engagements across the Strip on Friday. The military confirmed two more deaths on Saturday and another on Sunday on its website, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The increasing death toll has prompted internal criticism, suggesting that Israel’s reduction in the use of force, in response to U.S. calls to limit civilian casualties, is putting soldiers at risk.
Israeli security officials and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu deny any alteration in tactics due to American pressure.
Nevertheless, the growing casualties underscore the challenges in eradicating Hamas, which is evolving into a partly guerrilla army and launching attacks from densely populated areas, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Israeli military officials express surprise at the extensive military network in southern Gaza, discovering more tunnels and weapons than anticipated.
A senior Israeli military officer leading the battalion in the city of Khan Younis mentioned that it could take months before they gain control over the city, similar to the Israeli military’s control over northern Gaza.
Written by B.C. Begley
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B.C. Begley 