Israeli Military Conducts Second Ground Operation Near Gaza City Amid Intensifying Conflict

The Israeli military announced on Friday that it has executed its second ground operation within Gaza territory in as many days. Backed by air support from fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles, the operation targeted areas on the outskirts of Gaza City. This action comes as Israel makes preparations for an anticipated full-scale ground incursion into the region governed by Hamas.

Meanwhile, American military forces have targeted locations in eastern Syria. The Pentagon has stated that these targets were associated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, in retaliation to a sequence of attacks on U.S. forces by militias supported by Iran. These operations have further escalated the already heightened regional tensions, exacerbated by the ongoing three-week conflict in Gaza.

In Gaza, the death toll has surpassed 7,000, according to data released by the Health Ministry. This number includes over 2,900 minors and more than 1,500 women. The figure dramatically exceeds the combined casualties of all previous four conflicts between Israel and Hamas, which are estimated to be around 4,000.

In Israel, the government reports that over 1,400 individuals, primarily civilians, were killed during the initial assault by Hamas. Additionally, Hamas is reportedly detaining at least 224 individuals, spanning all age groups, within the Gaza territory.

The Israeli aerial bombardments have resulted in extensive devastation, leaving entire neighborhoods in ruins. Over one million residents have vacated their homes, many relocating to southern regions in compliance with Israeli evacuation orders. Yet, airstrikes continue to occur throughout the isolated area.

The escalating humanitarian crisis, amplified by both the ongoing conflict and the Israeli blockade, has instigated regional protests. Additional protests are anticipated later today, following weekly Muslim prayers.

Israeli ground forces, according to military reports, have been actively targeting militant installations over the last 24 hours. The operations have focused on Shijaiyah, a neighborhood near Gaza City, which had previously been a battleground during the 2014 conflict between Israel and Hamas. The military stated that these operations concluded without Israeli casualties.

Satellite imagery indicates the substantial infrastructural damage in Gaza, revealing entire residential areas reduced to rubble. The Israeli military argues that its operations exclusively target militant sites, accusing Hamas of embedding its operations within civilian areas for protection.

Hamas military spokespeople reported on Thursday that approximately 50 of the individuals being held captive have been killed due to Israeli bombardments. Israeli officials have not immediately responded to these claims.

The volatile situation is at risk of broadening into a larger regional conflict. Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group in Lebanon allied with Hamas, has been engaging in sporadic skirmishes with Israel along their shared border. Concurrently, Israel has conducted airstrikes against Iran-affiliated groups in Syria. To deter further escalation, the United States has dispatched two aircraft carrier strike groups to the region, along with additional military assets.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin clarified that the American strikes in eastern Syria were a direct response to continuous, although largely ineffective, attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed groups. He stressed that the American operations are independent of Israel’s conflict with Hamas.

Syrian opposition sources report that the targeted sites, suspected to be involved in arms shipments to regional militant groups, were vacated in advance. No immediate casualties have been reported.

Israel has expressed its intent to incapacitate Hamas governance in Gaza but has also indicated reluctance to reoccupy the region, from which it pulled out military and settlers in 2005.

Benny Gantz, a retired general and current member of Israel’s war cabinet, opined that any prospective ground operations would constitute merely a phase in a protracted strategy encompassing security, political, and social aspects that would extend over years.

Essential supplies such as food, medicine, and fuel are dwindling in Gaza. The United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, providing essential services to hundreds of thousands, warns it may soon run out of fuel.

Nine Arab nations have issued a joint statement, calling for an immediate cease-fire and cessation of civilian casualties. The signatories include nations that have established peace or normalization agreements with Israel.

This report includes contributions from Beirut by Mroue, from Rafah in the Gaza Strip by Najib Jobain, and from London by Brian Melley.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel-Gaza Conflict

More about Israel-Gaza Conflict

• Israel’s Military Operations in Gaza
• U.S. Airstrikes in Syria
• Death Toll in Gaza and Israel
• Impact of Airstrikes on Gaza
• U.S. Involvement in Middle East Conflicts
• Role of Hezbollah in Regional Tensions
• Humanitarian Consequences of Israel-Gaza Conflict
• Israel’s Long-Term Strategy Regarding Gaza
• International Response to Israel-Gaza Conflict