Israeli Troops Battle Palestinian Fighters in Khan Younis
Israeli troops have been engaged in intense battles with Palestinian fighters in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza. The military has been targeting tunnels and other infrastructure used by the militants, as they continue to launch mortar attacks on Israeli troops. Since the start of the operation on Monday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly killed around 100 Palestinian fighters. Despite mounting pressure for a ceasefire deal, the fighting shows no signs of abating.
Suppression of Small Militant Units
The IDF has been focused on suppressing small militant units that have been firing mortars at Israeli troops. In an air strike, seven of these units were hit, while four fighters were killed in air strikes in Rafah, further south. The Islamic Jihad armed wing also fired rockets towards the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon and other towns near Gaza. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Challenges of Guerrilla Warfare
The ongoing fighting highlights the difficulties faced by the IDF in eliminating fighters who have resorted to guerrilla warfare tactics in the ruins of Gaza. The coastal strip has been devastated by Israel’s invasion, which began in October last year. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been engaged in fierce battles with Israeli troops, using machine guns, mortars, and anti-tank weapons. Tragically, at least six Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes in eastern Khan Younis.
US Pressure for Ceasefire
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a proposed ceasefire deal. However, there has been no clear progress in the talks to end the fighting. Additionally, there are still 115 Israeli and foreign hostages being held in Gaza, further complicating the situation. Public statements from both Israel and Hamas indicate that significant differences remain between the two sides.
Israeli Offensive in Khan Younis
According to local residents, Israeli tanks have pushed into three towns east of Khan Younis, namely Bani Suhaila, Al-Zanna, and Al-Karara. Several houses in residential districts were blown up during the offensive. The Israeli military has also targeted around 45 locations, including tunnels and rocket launch pads. These rockets have been fired into Beersheba, a city in southern Israel.
Fighting Spreads to Gaza City
While the battles continue in Khan Younis and Rafah in the south, Israeli tanks have also entered the Tel Al-Hawa suburb west of Gaza city. A Hamas Telegram channel reported that fighters targeted an Israeli tank in Tal Al-Hawa and shot an Israeli soldier. Additionally, two Palestinians were killed in an air strike in western Gaza city.
Human Toll of the Conflict
The fighting in Gaza has taken a heavy toll on the Palestinian population. Local health authorities report that over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, without distinguishing between fighters and non-combatants. Israeli officials estimate that around 14,000 fighters from groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been killed or captured, out of an estimated force of over 25,000 at the beginning of the war.
In conclusion, the battle between Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters in Khan Younis continues to escalate. Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, the fighting shows no signs of abating. The IDF is facing challenges in eliminating small militant units that have resorted to guerrilla warfare tactics. The conflict has caused significant destruction and loss of life in Gaza, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The situation remains tense, with no clear resolution in sight.