In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of airstrikes targeting more than 100 sites in Gaza, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday morning. The IDF reported that among the targets were tunnel shafts and military installations used by the Palestinian extremist organization Hamas. The attacks resulted in at least 52 casualties, as reported by the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza.
The IDF’s statement mentioned the elimination of a terrorist cell in Jabalia that had attempted to plant explosives near an Israeli tank overnight. Ground troops reportedly targeted the fighters before they could carry out the attack, resulting in their deaths by a fighter jet. The claims made by the IDF are challenging to independently verify.
Additional Hamas fighters were reported killed the previous day in the southern city of Khan Younis, according to the Israeli army. The intensification of military operations against Hamas follows a declaration by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a troop visit to the sealed-off coastal strip, where he stated that Israel would “intensify the fight in the coming days.”
The current offensive by the Israeli army aims to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas in Gaza, spurred by the deadliest massacre in Israel’s history on October 7. Terrorists from Hamas and other groups carried out the attack, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and around 240 individuals taken hostage. Some hostages were released during a brief truce.
In response to the October 7 massacre, Israel launched massive airstrikes and initiated a ground offensive. According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, the ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of more than 20,600 people. The situation remains fluid and has garnered international attention, with concerns about the humanitarian impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.
