Images of Israeli Tanks in Gaza Released; Israel Prepares to Encircle Gaza City

On Saturday, Israel released images of its tanks on the western shores of Gaza, implicitly announcing its intention to encircle Gaza City, the largest city in the Gaza Strip, following a directive for extensive ground attacks along its eastern borders issued 48 hours earlier. According to Reuters, Hamas, the group supported by the Islamic Republic, claims to have launched mortar attacks against Israeli forces in northern Gaza and targeted Israeli tanks with rockets. The group has attempted to downplay reports of Israel's deep advances. The Israeli army stated that in the 'second phase' of the war against Hamas militants, its air force targeted over 450 Hamas positions in the past 24 hours, including operational command centers, observation posts, and anti-tank missile launch sites. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israeli army, said, 'We are gradually expanding our ground operations and the operational scope of our forces in the Gaza Strip.' Since Hamas's attack on October 7, which resulted in at least 1,400 deaths and over 200 hostages, Israel has intensified its blockade of Gaza and commenced air, sea, and ground assaults against Hamas positions. The United States, European Union, Japan, and Israel have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Colonel Elad Goren, Israel's coordinator for Palestinian affairs, stated that in the coming days, the country would allow a significant increase in aid to Gaza, and Palestinian civilians should move to a 'humanitarian zone' in southern Gaza. Additionally, according to Haaretz, Israel has opened the second of three water pipelines supplying water to the Gaza Strip, now delivering nearly 29 million liters per day to Hamas-controlled territories. This amount is slightly more than half of the approximately 49 million liters per day that Israel supplied before the war. Israel has committed to destroying Hamas, a task that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has described as long and requiring prolonged ground assaults. Concerns also persist regarding the expansion of the war between Israel and Hamas to other parts of the region, including Lebanon, where the Israeli army and the Hezbollah group, supported by the Islamic Republic, are exchanging fire. Day 23 of the war; Israel destroyed 450 Hamas positions, clashes with Hezbollah in the north. Hamas rocket attacks on Israeli cities; Palestinians looted a UN warehouse. Israeli Defense Minister: Ground attack on Hamas is part of efforts to free hostages. The White House: We will respond to attacks by the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups. The US and UK reiterated Israel's right to self-defense. The UK and France emphasized humanitarian aid to Gaza; Israel opened the second water pipeline to Gaza. Pope Francis: Hamas should release the hostages. Israel warns Elon Musk about internet services in Gaza: Hamas is ISIS.