On one side is Hamas, which warns that Israeli hostages in Gaza will not be returned home by military force. On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who posted in a video
Hamas warning
The warning from the spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, is echoed in an audio: “We tell the Israelis that Netanyahu, Gallant and others in the War Cabinet cannot return their prisoners without negotiations. The recent killing of a prisoner they tried to take back by force proves it,” Abu Ubaida said.
The same spokesman then claimed that within ten days from Beit Hanoun to Khan Younis, militants managed to “partially and completely destroy more than 180 APC military vehicles, tanks and bulldozers.” Attacks.”
Netanyahu's ultimatum
“In recent days, dozens of Hamas terrorists have surrendered to our forces. They lay down their weapons and surrender to our heroic soldiers,” Netanyahu said. “It will take longer, the war is in full swing, but for Hamas this is the beginning.” of the end. I say to the Hamas terrorists: It's over. Don't die for Sinwar (the leader of the group, editor's note). Surrender now.”
IDF: “Signs of Hamas giving in”
The IDF, for its part, speaks of “signs of Hamas’ surrender” in the Gaza Strip, while the offensive continues in the southern part. According to the Israel Defense Forces, “The extent of the damage and destruction poses command and control problems for Hamas. There are areas in the Gaza Strip that Hamas no longer controls militarily.” And he then reported that 7,000 militants have been killed so far – including the Half of the commanders of the terrorist group's 24 battalions – and 22,000 targets were hit, adding: “Despite the results, we are not yet close to the end.” Fighting: We continue to operate with great intensity and are working to dismantle entire Hamas battalions .”
Tsahal radio reported that dozens of Hamas militants had surrendered to Israeli forces after losing all contact with the organization's leadership in the Gaza Strip, which “no longer exercises command and control functions.” Israeli forces have “detected changes in the behavior of Hamas leaders,” now holed up in Khan Yunis, a southern city besieged by the Israeli military, who have chosen to focus on their personal security rather than continuing to issue instructions To give. The Institute for War Research said seven Hamas battalions had already been stopped and another six were “on the verge of collapse.”
The IDF also reported 30,000 Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip before the conflict began following the horrific attack in Israel on October 7. The fighters – the Israeli Defense Forces told CNN – are divided into five brigades, 24 battalions and around 140 companies. Each unit is capable of attacking with anti-tank missiles, snipers, rockets and mortars. Last Saturday, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said he believed that at least seven thousand of the thousands of people killed in Gaza since October 7 were “terrorists.”
IDF: New Hamas battalion commander Shejaiya killed
The Israeli army has killed the new commander of Hamas' Shejaiya Battalion, Emad Qariqa, in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip. This was announced by the IDF. His predecessor, Wissam Farhat, was killed in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip on December 2nd: he was one of the planners of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th. According to the IDF, Qariqa had been deputy commander of the Shejaiya Battalion since 2019.
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