1 of 1 Image shows smoke and destroyed buildings in Gaza City, on October 30, 2023 Photo: AP Photo/Abed Khaled Image shows smoke and destroyed buildings in Gaza City, on October 30, 2023 Photo: AP Photo /Abed Khaled
Hamas said that its militants fired antitank missiles this Tuesday (31) at Israeli forces stationed in the territory of the Gaza Strip. The information was published by the Portal agency.
The confrontation would have taken place between the Israeli army and an armed Hamas brigade. The terrorist group’s wing said the confrontation was progressing along Gaza’s southern axis with the use of machine guns.
The armed group also said it attacked two Israeli tanks and other vehicles in northwest Gaza. Portal said it was unable to independently confirm the reports.
Israel expanded its ground operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Monday (30). Israeli forces also announced that they had released a hostage.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that calling for a ceasefire was a call for Israel to surrender. He went on to say that “even the most just wars cause unintended civilian casualties.”
According to experts, Israel’s land advance into the Gaza Strip is occurring slowly. One of the reasons would be to give Hamas the opportunity to negotiate the release of hostages.
Israel declares war after Hamas attack; understand
▶️ How did the conflict begin? The confrontation began after the terrorist group Hamas fired hundreds of rockets at Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7.
- Armed men from the south of the country invaded Israeli territory by land, air and sea, on motorcycles and paragliders.
- The invaders shot people in the streets and kidnapped hundreds, including women and children, who were taken to Gaza as hostages.
▶️ What was Israel’s reaction? Faced with the Hamas offensive, the Israeli government began retaliatory measures.
- “We are at war and we will win,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said shortly after the attack. “Our enemy will pay a price he has never known.”
- Also on October 7, Israel launched bombing raids on the Gaza Strip.
▶️ What is and where is the Gaza Strip? It is the Palestinian territory located on a narrow piece of land on the west coast of Israel on the border with Egypt.
- The city, which is characterized by poverty and overpopulation, has 2 million inhabitants who live in an area of 360 km².
- To get an idea of this size compared to Brazilian cities: the territory is slightly larger than that of the city of Fortaleza (312.4 km²) and smaller than that of Curitiba (434.8 km²).
- Gaza was captured by Israel in the SixDay War in 1967 and handed over to the Palestinians in 2005. Gaza is currently experiencing a blockade of goods and services imposed by its border neighbors.
▶️ What is the history of conflict in the region? The dispute between Israel and Palestine has been going on for decades and has resulted in numerous armed clashes and deaths.
- In its modern form, it dates back to 1947, when the United Nations (UN) proposed the creation of two states, one Jewish and one Arab, in Palestine under a British mandate.