Heavy fighting in the southern Gaza Strip: The army has surrounded the house of Hamas leader Sinwar. But it is suspected to be in the tunnel system. There is little hope of a ceasefire.
Israeli ground troops also took action against the militant Islamist Hamas in several sections of the Gaza Strip during the night. According to military information, some of the units were engaged in urban warfare. The infantry units are supported by heavy tanks and artillery. Israel’s air force continues to carry out strikes, and the navy is also shelling targets in the Gaza Strip.
The focus of the fighting is Khan Yunis, the largest city in the south of the coastal region. The army leadership continues to speak of the heaviest fighting since the ground offensive began. According to reports, the troops have now advanced into the city center.
Gray areas: Built-up areas in the Gaza Strip. Hatching: Israeli army
Hamas leader’s house surrounded
The home of Hamas leader Jahia Sinwar has been surrounded, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “I said our troops could reach any place in the Gaza Strip,” he said. “Now they are surrounding Sinwar’s house. His house is not his fortress and he can escape. But it is only a matter of time before we get him.” The leader is believed to be in the Hamas tunnels.
The leadership of the terrorist organization Hamas will continue the fight, said security expert Michael Millstein in an interview with the Israeli radio station 103 FM. “These people are ideologues,” emphasized Millstein:
They don’t care about things like an exit strategy. Sinwar knows that he can die in this war: he, his family and everyone close to him. He accepts that. And at this point he continues his holy war.
Fights are likely to drag on
The fighting could drag on for a long time. Meanwhile, the situation of the civilian population in the Gaza Strip continues to deteriorate. The health system for the coastal area with its approximately 2.2 million residents is close to complete collapse, warned the head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Only small amounts of relief supplies continue to arrive in the coastal strip.
Is the aid reaching the population? In an interview with Al Jazeera broadcaster, a woman standing in front of the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis is certain that Hamas is keeping the supplies for itself. “All relief supplies go straight down into the tunnels. The people don’t get any of it.”
Guterres: Humanitarian catastrophe must be averted
In addition to food, the Gaza Strip is also lacking fuel. The Israeli war cabinet has now given the green light to increase fuel deliveries, thus fulfilling a request from the US government. So far, 60,000 liters have been delivered daily. According to various Israeli media reports, the amount will now be doubled or tripled. But even that wouldn’t come close to covering the need.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on the Security Council in an incendiary letter to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. Israel responded with sharp criticism. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called Guterres’ term in office a threat to world peace and accused the UN Secretary General of supporting Hamas with his initiative.
Tim Aßmann, ARD Berlin, currently Tel Aviv, tagesschau, December 7th, 2023 12:57 p.m