Tel Aviv [Israel], December 4: The Israeli army announced that it is expanding its military ground campaign throughout the Gaza Strip instead of just focusing in the north as in the first phase.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said at a press conference on December 3 that the force is restoring and expanding the ground campaign targeting Hamas strongholds throughout the Gaza Strip, according to CNN.
In the early stages of the conflict, Israel focused on attacking the northern Gaza Strip and calling on civilians to evacuate to the south, where the Rafah border gate is the only remaining road connecting to the outside. However, since the ceasefire agreement collapsed earlier this month, the Israeli army has attacked targets in the south with airstrikes, allegedly to open the way for ground troops to advance, according to previous analysis. that belongs to observers.
Hagari emphasized the importance of the air force's air support for ground forces, saying airstrikes have targeted command posts, weapons production facilities, tunnels and rocket launch sites. opponent's safe. The official claimed these attacks limited the threat to the ground campaign. "Our policy is clear, we will strongly attack any threat against our territory," Hagari said.
Before officially announcing the expansion of the ground campaign, the Israeli army divided the Gaza Strip into several regions and asked people to follow the evacuation instructions of each region, including many residential areas in the south. Israel also distributed leaflets in southern areas, accompanied by QR codes that could be scanned with a phone and connected to a map. According to CNN, the announcement was broadcast on social networks but it is unclear how many people read it due to unstable power and internet supplies amid the fighting. Also at the press conference on December 3, Mr. Hagari announced that the army had eliminated the commander of Hamas 's ShatiBattalion , Mr. HaithamKhuwajari, in a fighter jet attack. Mr. Khuwajari is believed to be responsible for the Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7 and commanded forces fighting against the Israeli army in the Al-Shati area in the northern Gaza Strip. The Israeli army took control of the Al-Shati refugee camp in mid-November. Hamas has not commented on Mr. Khuwajari's death.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
