The Israeli army has begun an attack on southern Gaza, according to an analysis by The New York Times of satellite images, marking the long-awaited operation for Israel that could determine the fate of its war with Hamas and pose further risks to Palestinian civilians. Israeli forces have now advanced to the last part of the territory that was under complete Hamas control, after seizing large areas of northern Gaza since late October. This move paves the way for what is likely to be the decisive battle in the war, centered in Khan Younis, the largest city in the south, where Israeli officials believe Hamas's military and political leadership has sought refuge following their flight from the north.
New satellite images collected at 9 a.m. local time on Sunday and analyzed by The New York Times show that the Israeli army has reached a position south of Deir al-Balah, approximately 3 miles north of downtown Khan Younis. The images displayed dozens of armored vehicles in the area and barricades erected to fortify their positions and vehicles, with activities resembling previous Israeli operations in the north. The images also indicated likely paths made by bulldozers.
The Israeli army declined to comment, but generals have stated in recent days that their forces are operating throughout the Gaza Strip, without clarifying what that entails. The incursion into the south is expected to be the most intense phase of the war, which is already the deadliest in the Arab-Israeli conflict since the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, leading to the largest displacement of Palestinians since the wars surrounding the south.
