Israeli sources confirmed to "Axios" that two divisions of armored and infantry troops, totaling more than 20,000 Israeli soldiers, have entered the Gaza Strip since the operation began on Friday. The sources state that the Israeli army is also utilizing ground intelligence to attempt to locate and rescue hostages. Israeli officials have acknowledged that the fight to "destroy" Hamas will be "long and difficult," and will undoubtedly result in the deaths of many Israeli soldiers and Palestinian civilians.
On Tuesday, Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee announced that Israeli forces have launched another ground assault against Hamas and other groups in the Gaza Strip. Adraee indicated that the commander of the southern region of the army operating in Gaza issued an order on Tuesday stressing the determination to achieve victory over Hamas, regardless of the difficulties and duration of the fighting. He stated that the Israeli army will combat in alleys, tunnels, and wherever necessary until Hamas is eradicated.
He added that his forces are engaged in fierce battles in the northern part of the strip and announced the interception of what he described as an "aerial target" in the Eilat area on the Red Sea. He noted that the "Arrow" air defense system was used for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict with Hamas on October 7, to intercept a ground-to-ground missile over the Red Sea that was heading towards Israel.
Meanwhile, the Al-Qassam Brigades stated that their fighters are engaged in intense clashes with the Israeli forces advancing in the northern part of the strip, having destroyed several of their vehicles in ambushes and attacks from various fronts. In retaliation for the massacre at the Baptist Hospital, Israel destroyed an entire residential neighborhood in the Jabalia camp today, resulting in around 400 deaths, mostly among children and women.
