Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army, revealed in a press briefing today, Monday, that Israel is "gradually proceeding according to the plan" in the Gaza Strip. He added that the forces have killed dozens of militants in Gaza and refused to confirm the location of Israeli ground forces in the area, even after images on social media appeared to show Israeli tanks advancing on a main road.
In turn, Palestine TV reported today that Israeli army tanks are now separating northern Gaza from the south and center due to airstrikes targeting central Gaza since dawn. Eyewitnesses confirmed to the Arab World News Agency that Israeli army forces made a sudden incursion into the Juhar al-Dik area to the south of Gaza. Witnesses saw tanks at the entrance to Gaza City from the south on Salah al-Din Street. The Juhar al-Dik area is located at the entrance of the central governorate with the southern borders of Gaza City.
An eyewitness told the Arab World News Agency, "The tanks blocked Salah al-Din Street coming from an entirely empty and open area." He added, "They are now stationed near the junction leading to the Noor Tourist Resort," confirming that they are targeting any movements near the area.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported today that at least 8,306 Palestinians have been killed, including 3,457 children, in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since the 7th of this month. A video showed the arrival of Israeli tanks on Salah al-Din Street in Gaza.
Earlier today, the head of the Arab Media Office in the Israeli army stated that the army continued to expand ground operations in Gaza last night, noting the deaths of dozens whom she described as saboteurs. Captain Ila mentioned on the "X" platform (formerly Twitter) that the bombardment destroyed infrastructure and military compounds belonging to Hamas. She indicated that a building in Gaza was bombed where 20 Hamas members were inside. She added, "We targeted about 600 Hamas sites in the past 24 hours."
A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu firmly rejected calls for a ceasefire, emphasizing that "there is no going back to before October 7," while noting that "Israeli forces do not intend to stay in Gaza forever, but we will remain for a period to eliminate Hamas."
