Clashes intensified in Gaza City as the Israeli army advanced deeper into the city. While fighting escalated on multiple fronts, the Israeli army announced the capture of Hamas leadership centers, while the Al-Qassam Brigades confirmed that they killed soldiers and destroyed tanks and vehicles. This coincided with the Israeli army tightening its siege on all hospitals in northern Gaza and moving towards the only partially operational hospital (the Baptist hospital), amidst the deepening tragedy of the besieged population remaining in Gaza without electricity, water, food, or medicine.
Israel is trying to take full control of Gaza City in an apparent attempt to create a security situation similar to that of the West Bank, thereby allowing its army to conduct incursions, airstrikes, and killings at any time it desires. A source in the Palestinian factions in Gaza City stated, "The leadership of the resistance is aware of Israel's attempt to create a new reality in the Gaza Strip, but its forces will not enjoy a moment's rest here as they face fierce, ongoing resistance at all fronts and at all times, suffering heavy losses." The source added, "Gaza will resist them until the end, and it will not surrender or raise the white flag."
The Al-Qassam Brigades announced that their fighters killed nine Israeli soldiers, including seven killed "at point-blank range" north of Gaza City, and two soldiers "at point-blank range" in Beit Hanoun. Al-Qassam, in a series of statements, reported that they launched a rocket barrage at Tel Aviv, destroyed tanks and vehicles, and targeted gatherings of Israeli soldiers with various anti-armor and personnel arms.
The Israeli army acknowledged the deaths of more of its soldiers, stating that Sergeant Roy Marom and Reserve Major Raz Abu Al-Afia were killed, with four others injured, raising the total number of soldiers killed in the ground operation in northern Gaza to 46. In contrast, the Israeli army announced that its troops seized central control centers and symbols of Hamas governance in Gaza City, killing members of Al-Qassam.
The army's statement mentioned, "So far, the 162nd Division forces have found more than 160 tunnel openings, attacked about 2,800 infrastructure sites, and eliminated around 1,000 members and leaders of Hamas. In recent hours, operational control was achieved over the Beach Camp. As part of the division's activity in the Gaza Strip, the 162nd Division troops penetrated strategic and vital properties of Hamas, including: the Force 17 site, the Hamas security square, and Al-Rantisi Hospital, which the terrorist organization used for military activities and hostage-taking, as well as the Badr site."
The statement also addressed control over "the main police headquarters, an engineering college, the building of the Gaza governor's house, training sites, and security offices, along with the headquarters of the Central Brigade of Al-Qassam in Gaza City, which was headed by Ayman Nofal before he was assassinated early in the war."
Alongside the ground battles, Israel continued to bombard various areas in the Gaza Strip, including Khan Younis in southern Gaza, which, according to the Israeli army, is presumed to be a safe area.
