JERUSALEM. Israel’s military continued its intensive operations in the country’s southern regions on Monday, searching for Hamas fighters, guarding breaches in its border fence, and launching airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. This follows an unprecedented weekend incursion by Hamas, which caught Israel’s military and intelligence off guard, resulting in heavy battles on Israeli streets for the first time in decades.
Israel formally declared war on Sunday, signaling the potential for greater fighting ahead, including a possible ground assault into Gaza, which has historically led to intensified casualties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to eliminate “the military and governing capabilities” of Hamas, a deeply entrenched militant group in Gaza.
As Israel targeted more than 1,000 sites in Gaza and stationed tanks and drones along the border fence to prevent further infiltrations, Palestinian militants continued to fire barrages of rockets, triggering air raid sirens in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Online videos showed a plume of smoke near a terminal at Ben Gurion International Airport, although there was no immediate information about casualties or damage from the latest attack.
However, civilians have already paid a heavy toll in the conflict. The death toll in Israel has surpassed 700 people, a staggering number compared to recent conflicts. In Gaza, nearly 500 people have lost their lives in the violence. Palestinian militant groups have claimed the capture of over 130 individuals in Israel, with reports suggesting that some of them may have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, although this could not be independently verified.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “complete siege” on Gaza, which includes cutting electricity and blocking the entry of food and fuel. Israel and Egypt have imposed various levels of blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power in 2007.
Gallant used dehumanizing language, referring to the conflict as a war against “human animals,” a rhetoric that has been employed by both sides during periods of heightened tension.
After approximately 48 hours of fierce battles within Israel, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman, reported that Israel had “control” of its border communities. He noted that while there were isolated incidents early Monday, there was no ongoing fighting in these communities. However, he cautioned that militants might still be inside Israel, leading to the evacuation of 15 of 24 border communities, with the remainder expected to be emptied in the coming days.
Hamas spokesman Abdel-Latif al-Qanoua claimed that their fighters continued to battle outside Gaza and had captured more Israelis as recently as Monday morning. Hamas aims to free all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, a goal that has led to lopsided exchange deals in the past.
In its airstrikes, Israel’s military targeted Beit Hanoun, a town in northeast Gaza that was allegedly being used by Hamas as a staging ground for attacks. The extent of casualties in the town was not immediately known, but most of its population likely evacuated before the attack.
Hagari also mentioned the mobilization of around 300,000 reservists and reiterated that the goal of the operation was to dismantle Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.
The recent violence erupted after Hamas gunmen broke through Israeli barriers on Saturday, leading to a rampage that included the killing of civilians and the capture of people in various locations. Palestinian militants have launched thousands of rockets at Israel in response.
The Israeli military estimated that approximately 1,000 Hamas fighters participated in the initial incursion on Saturday, underscoring the extensive planning by the militant group. Hamas cited mounting Palestinian suffering as the reason for the attack, including Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, blockade of Gaza, discriminatory policies in annexed east Jerusalem, and tensions around a disputed Jerusalem holy site sacred to both Muslims and Jews.
As the conflict continues, the international community remains deeply concerned about the escalating violence and the humanitarian impact on civilians in both Israel and Gaza. The U.S. has deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean and pledged additional military aid to Israel.
Meanwhile, the exchange of strikes with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group raised fears of a broader regional conflict. The situation in northern Israel has calmed down after the exchange.
In the West Bank, six Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers on Sunday, further highlighting the volatility of the situation across the region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
