Israel splits its attack, creating a pincer movement to "wipe out" Hamas

Israeli tanks near Gaza (Photo: AFP).

CNN cited satellite images and videos from official and public sources showing that Israeli forces are approaching Gaza City, the largest and most densely populated population center in the Gaza Strip.

CNN 's image analysis has shed further light on the situation on the ground, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a siege on Gaza City this week.

Since the IDF launched its ground offensive into Gaza a week ago, marking the latest phase in its war against Hamas, the Israeli military has advanced along three axes – from Gaza’s northwestern border along the Mediterranean coast, from the northeast near Beit Hanoun and from east to west, along the southern edge of Gaza City – in an apparent attempt to split the Gaza Strip into two parts.

According to satellite images, the Israeli army has advanced further along the western strip, towards the sea, showing that the force has completely surrounded Gaza City at a distance of 1km.

Although the image is low resolution, it also shows traces of heavy armored vehicles driving across the Gaza Strip, south of the urban center, close to the coast.

Videos showing the Israeli advance south of Gaza City have not yet emerged, but videos shared by the IDF and circulating on social media in recent days show Israeli troops moving into the northernmost areas of Gaza, including Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya and Atatra, and massing on the outskirts of Gaza City from the north.

Satellite images and video also showed Israeli forces on the Salah al-Din road, a highway that runs along the Gaza Strip, apparently blocking anyone still in Gaza City from moving south.

Location of Gaza Strip (Photo: BBC).

A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces announced today, November 3, that the country's army is entering Gaza and destroying Hamas infrastructure.

"IDF forces are encircling Gaza from the air, land and sea, surrounding Gaza City and its surroundings," said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.

"The (Israeli) fighters are advancing in battles, destroying (Hamas) infrastructure above ground and underground, and eliminating the enemy," the IDF spokesman added.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters on November 3 that Israeli forces had killed 10 Hamas brigade and battalion commanders since the start of the war last month. He said these officers had “planned the terrible massacre on October 7.”

According to figures released by the IDF, Israel has lost 333 soldiers since October 7, including 18 killed in Gaza since October 31. Among the dead was Lieutenant Colonel Salman Habaka, a senior tank battalion commander killed in northern Gaza on November 2.

Earlier, Mr. Hagari announced on November 2 that Israeli forces had completely surrounded Gaza City in the north of the enclave. He also rejected the idea of ​​a ceasefire in the near future.

Mark Regev, senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the Israeli military continues to maintain pressure on Hamas.

"We are attacking the Hamas military machine. Our goal is to destroy the Hamas military machine and eliminate its political control over Gaza," Regev said.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/israel-chia-mui-tien-cong-tao-the-gong-kim-xoa-so-hamas-20231104060433402.htm