Continued Bombing and Rising Casualties
On the 87th day of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the new year started with more bombings by the Israeli occupation forces. They targeted Khan Yunis, Al-Tuffah neighborhood, and Deir Al-Balah in the middle of the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Health reported that the number of people who lost their lives has now reached 21,978.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army announced that the number of casualties and injuries has increased since October 7th.
Israeli Army Updates
The Israeli army reported the death of an officer in battles in the northern Gaza Strip, bringing the total number of casualties since the start of the conflict to 507.
The occupation army also stated that 2,234 soldiers have been injured, with 355 in serious condition, since the beginning of the war on Gaza. In the past 24 hours alone, 41 soldiers were injured in the battles in the Strip.
The Israeli army confirmed that they are gradually withdrawing from northern Gaza and will demobilize additional forces in the coming days. The focus of the fighting is now in Khan Yunis, located in the south of the Strip.
Furthermore, the Israeli army revealed that 29 of its officers and soldiers were killed by friendly fire or in operational accidents since the ground operation in Gaza began on October 27th.
According to Haaretz newspaper, an Israeli source stated that the next phase of the war will last for 6 months, and the forces in Gaza are prepared to move to the northern front.
In a related development, 42 people who were at the “Nova” festival during a Palestinian resistance operation on October 7th filed a civil lawsuit against the Israeli army, police, and Shin Bet, accusing them of negligence.
Resistance Operations
The first day of the new year witnessed the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, launching a missile attack on Tel Aviv.
The Al-Qassam Brigades also announced that they targeted an Israeli Merkava tank with an “Al-Yassin 105” missile in the central Gaza Strip. They also claimed to have taken control of an Israeli drone that was on an “intelligence mission” in the northern Gaza Strip.
Today, the Qassam Brigades focused their operations in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood and the Bureij camp. They reported blowing up a tunnel with occupation soldiers inside on Jabal Al-Rayes, east of the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City. They confirmed that the soldiers were killed or injured.
The Qassam Brigades also detonated a minefield with Israeli forces after entering the Hebron military site in the Al-Tuffah neighborhood in Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of 15 soldiers. They claimed to have targeted 26 Israeli vehicles that entered the Al-Daraj and Al-Tuffah neighborhoods in Gaza City in the past 48 hours.
In addition, the Al-Quds Brigades announced that they bombed a gathering of Israeli occupation soldiers and vehicles in the central Gaza Strip using “Badr 1” missiles.
They also engaged in fierce clashes with the occupation forces in the areas east and north of Khan Yunis, located in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Limit of Reasonableness Overturned
Surprisingly, the Supreme Court overturned the “limiting reasonableness” law proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This law restricted the court’s ability to review government decisions. The decision was met with opposition support and government anger.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir considered the repeal of the law dangerous and harmful to the war effort in Gaza.
Israel and America
Regarding the political situation, Netanyahu admitted today that there are differences between Tel Aviv and Washington over the war in Gaza. He emphasized that he makes decisions based solely on what he believes is in Israel’s best interests.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper also reported that the United States informed Israel that the US aircraft carrier Gerald Ford would leave the region in the coming days. The carrier was sent to protect Israel following the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
West Bank
As the occupation army continues its raids on the cities of the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club announced that the number of prisoners has reached 4,910 since October 7th.
The Israeli forces have been conducting raids in Al-Bireh, Tulkarm, Hebron, Qalqilya, Nablus, Bethlehem, Kafr Ain, and Shuafat camp.
Clashes between resistance fighters and occupation soldiers have also occurred during the raids in Kafr Ain, Tulkarm, Nablus, and Shuafat camp.
Lebanon Front
In southern Lebanon, the Lebanese Hezbollah bombed Israeli military sites, resulting in 5 soldiers sustaining minor injuries according to the occupation army.
In response, the Israeli army bombed Lebanese border towns and targeted homes that they claimed were “Hezbollah targets.” This led to the deaths of 3 civilians in the town of Kafr Kila.
Hezbollah also announced the deaths of 3 of its members in border clashes, without providing further details. This brings the total number of Hezbollah casualties to 137 since October 8th.
Red Sea
In the Red Sea, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that the Houthis attacked an American warship in response to the American targeting of Houthi boats the previous day. The report indicated intense gunfire between the Houthis and American soldiers.
However, a source from the Houthi group denied to Al Jazeera that any clashes had occurred with an American warship in the Red Sea.
Source: Al Jazeera
