Israeli tanks return to old war zone, destroy Hamas fighters

Large explosions could be seen in northern Gaza. The Israeli military said its forces killed dozens of Hamas militants in clashes in Beit Lahiya on the northern edge of Gaza.

Israeli tank returns to war zone, kills dozens of Hamas fighters photo 1 — Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

Gaza health authorities said Israeli bombing in the past 24 hours had killed 158 people, bringing the total death toll in the war now in its fourth month to 24,285, with thousands more bodies feared buried in the rubble.

The White House said Tuesday that US Middle East envoy Brett McGurk had traveled to Qatar in recent days “for very serious and in-depth discussions” on a deal that could free more hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Under pressure from the United States to reduce civilian casualties, Israel said it was shifting from a full-scale ground offensive to targeted operations. The plan would begin with a withdrawal from the northern Gaza front. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also said Monday that the recent ground offensive in southern Gaza was nearing its end.

However, de-escalation of the war still appears to be a difficult challenge as Israel has vowed not to stop until Hamas is destroyed.

Retired General Israel Ziv, who once commanded Israeli forces in Gaza, said that 10-15% of Hamas' pre-war rocket corps of about 1,000 troops were believed to still be alive, and that there were about 2,000 unfired rockets.

Mai Van (according to Reuters)

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