The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensified strikes on Hamas targets in and around Gaza City as troops completed the encirclement of the terrorist stronghold.
“Israel is on the brink of a pivotal week as its forces mass at Gaza’s western neighborhoods, finalizing preparations for a renewed ground maneuver dubbed “Gideon Chariots II”,” Israel’s Ynetnews observed on Sunday. “Military planners say the coming maneuver will unfold gradually, with brigade combat teams tightening a ring around the city.”
“IDF troops are continuing to operate against the terrorist organizations throughout the Gaza Strip,” the military said in a statement Sunday.”In the Jabaliya area and on the outskirts of Gaza City, IDF troops continue dismantling terror infrastructure sites and eliminating Hamas terrorists. Over the past day, the troops eliminated numerous terrorists and dismantled terror infrastructure sites.”
The military also struck two more tall buildings serving as Hamas observation posts, spying on Israeli advances on the ground.”A short while ago, the IDF struck two high-rise buildings that were used by the Hamas terrorist organization in the area of Gaza City,” the IDF said in a separate statement. “Hamas terrorists planted intelligence gathering means and positioned observation posts to monitor the location of IDF troops in the area, and to advance terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and IDF troops.”
The strikes were carried out after prior evacuation warnings to reduce civilian casualties, the IDF confirmed.
Despite Hamas setting illegal roadblocks and ambushing civilians leaving Gaza City, nearly a third of the area’s population appears to have moved to safe zones in the south, heeding IDF’s repeated calls.
More than 300,000 Palestinians have so far evacuated Gaza City to other areas of the Strip, according to fresh IDF estimates,” The Times of Israel reported Sunday. “Around one million Palestinians were estimated to be residing in Gaza City before the IDF began to prepare for a major offensive against the Hamas terror group there.”
As part of the ongoing military operation, the IDF eliminated several Hamas commanders as well as terrorists who took part in the atrocities on October 7, 2023.
“In activities by IDF troops in the Gaza Strip over the past month, troops from the 282nd Brigade eliminated several terrorists and field commanders of the Hamas terrorist organization,” the IDF announced. “Among the terrorists eliminated was Yousef Mahmoud Mohammad Jumaa, head of a Hamas terrorist cell who infiltrated Kibbutz Alumim and took part in the brutal massacre of October 7th. He planned and carried out terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and IDF troops during the war.”
The military continues its hunt for terrorists who invaded Israel on October 7 and took part in the massacre. “In the past month, the brigade eliminated more than 20 terrorists from the terrorist organizations operating in the Gaza Strip, including terrorists who infiltrated Israeli territory and took part in the brutal massacre of October 7th,” the IDF added.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Jerusalem on his first visit to Israel since taking office.
Secretary Rubio told reporters in Jerusalem that the U.S.-Israeli relationship was “very strong” despite recent disagreements over the Israeli strike to take out Hamas terrorist leadership in Qatar.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accompanied Secretary Rubio to Jerusalem’s Western Wall. The visit by the top U.S. envoy is “a testament to the durability, the strength of the Israeli-American alliance. It’s as strong and as durable as the stones of the Western Wall we just touched,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said.
The Jerusalem Post reported:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon.“The visit of the American Secretary of State is a testament to the strong relationship between the United States and Israel. We greatly appreciate the visit,” Netanyahu said at the conclusion of the visit.US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee was also in attendance.Earlier, after arriving in Israel, Rubio addressed Israel’s war in Gaza and the Israeli strikes on Hamas leadership in Qatar, among other regional issues.Speaking to reporters before departure, Rubio reiterated that the US and President Donald Trump were not happy about the strikes.Rubio said the US relationship with Israel would not be affected, but that he would discuss with the Israelis how the strike would affect Trump’s desire to secure the return of all the hostages held by Hamas, get rid of the terrorist group, and end the Gaza war.
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