Tel Aviv [Israel], November 4: With the support of the air force and navy, Israeli tanks entered Gaza City during a new period of hostilities as the Jewish state came under increasing pressure to stop fire.
Israel surrounds in many directions
After days of bombing the suburbs, on November 2, Israeli infantry and armored forces entered Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip and a stronghold of Hamas forces. Israeli Army Chief of Staff HerziHalevi claimed forces had completely surrounded the northern city of Gaza Strip from many directions and "went into another important stage of the war".
CNN reported that Gaza skies were lit up during the night by flares and continuous explosions after the Israeli military announced the siege and thrust deeper into the city. In addition to the infantry, Israeli aircraft continued to airstrike Hamas headquarters while missile ships from the sea attacked buildings with landmine traps and checkpoints of Palestinian forces. Israeli military commanders admit that the war in Gaza will be a big challenge because Hamas has carefully prepared, built a large network of tunnels with many exits for unexpected ambushes, in addition to a series of mine traps.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah forces in Lebanon are also increasing bombardment of northern Israel, forcing the country to attack in response. In a statement on November 2, the White House expressed concern about attacks in northern Israel but has not seen any sign of Hezbollah's full force of attack. Previously, the US had sent aircraft carriers and many other forces to the region to deter groups like Hezbollah from expanding the conflict.
The US suggests a ceasefire
The Hamas - Israel conflict has gone through 4 weeks with more than 10,400 people killed, of which the Israeli side is 1,400. An estimated 800,000 Palestinians have left Gaza City and surrounding areas to go south but hundreds of thousands are believed to remain in the city, according to The Times of Israel.
The situation of Palestinian civilians in other parts of the Gaza Strip is also extremely poor, with a lack of food, water, medicine and fuel. The UN and countries in the region are calling for a ceasefire for humanitarian purposes but Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari flatly said the ceasefire is not something to consider at this time. Meanwhile, the UAE, the Arab country, has reached an agreement to normalize relations with Israel, yesterday warned of the risk of conflict spreading to the region and helping extremist groups take advantage of the situation.
President Joe Biden and U.S. administration officials, Israel's most influential ally, have also hinted at a possible temporary ceasefire to bring in humanitarian aid and rescue hostages. During events at the White House on November 2, Biden said the US supports Israel's right to self-defense but must comply with international humanitarian law.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on November 3 made his third visit to Israel in a month with a focus on the campaign against Hamas as well as protecting civilians, rescuing hostages and preventing the spread of conflict. In another development, Israel's Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor confirmed that he had asked European countries to send hospital ships close to Gaza to support the injured. France said it would let the second helicopter carrier arrive off Gaza while working with Israeli and Egyptian officials to find a way to support the victims.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
