The attacks focused in the south, in the area of the city of Chan Junus, and the north – in Jabalji and the byte Lahija, 'said AP. According to the BBC journalist present at the site, the offensive on Friday by byte Lahia is the biggest blow to this city since Israel resumed the war on March 18.
Civilians escaped from the byte Lahii on Friday. “We barely got out of the house, death and bodies of the dead around, we were unable to take anything with us,” AP said one of the refugees.
The goal of Friday's attacks was to take over the strategic areas of the Gaza Strip, which is the beginning of the chariot of Gideon's operation – it was written in the evening press release of the Israeli armed forces. The plan of the new offensive was approved by the Israeli government last week.
“With full force” offensive
According to the statements of politicians and military as well as media leaks, the several -phase scenario assumes the resettlement of Palestinian civilians south, and then the occupation of the other areas of the Gaza Strip, their long -term occupation and destruction of Hamas there. The plan also includes the resumption of currently blocked humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, but on new rules. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the campaign would be intensive and conducted with “full force”.
On Friday, the journey of US President Donald Trump in the Middle East ended, during which he did not visit Israel. There was hope that the visit could bring the conclusion of a truce. Information about the growing tension between Israel and the USA appeared in the media, which are to press the introduction of a ceasefire. As part of a gesture of good will to Trump, Hamas freed the last host of the American passport.
The Israeli government emphasizes that its goal is to release hostages and destroy Hamas. Recognized as a terrorist organization, the Palestinian group declares that they are ready for a truce and release of hostages, but this must be associated with the perspective of the end of the war. Israel rejects this proposal because it does not guarantee Hamas disarmament and removing it from power in the Gaza Strip.
Humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip
The deepening humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory arouses the growing anxiety of the world. Israel imposed a blockade on the supply of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip before the resumption of the war.
Israel declares that help will resume with the participation of the US, but on the new rules so that it is not stolen by Hamas. The UN and assistance organizations criticized the new system, accusing him of not consistent with the principles of providing humanitarian aid, and its proposed scale is too small to meet the needs.
The war in the Gaza Strip has been going on from October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked the south of Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting the 251. Israeli army believes that 23 hostages remain in captivity and 35 kidnapped bodies are detained. According to local authorities controlled by Hamas, over 53.1 thousand died in the war. Palestinians
