Israeli Army Attacks Hamas Militants Inside Gaza Tunnels

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated that the country's forces have attacked Hamas militants within the extensive underground tunnel network in Gaza. According to Reuters, this claim comes as he previously rejected calls for a ceasefire to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Following the deadly and surprise attacks by Hamas militants on southern Israel three weeks ago, the destruction of these tunnels has become a primary objective for the Israeli army, which has expanded its ground operations into Gaza for this purpose. The Israeli army reported that on Monday, November 8, they targeted nearly 300 sites, including anti-tank missiles, rocket launch stations, and military complexes within the underground tunnels belonging to Hamas militants. The United States, Japan, and the European Union are among the countries that have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The Israeli army's statement indicated that militants responded to these attacks with anti-tank missiles and direct gunfire. It further stated: 'Soldiers killed terrorists and directed air forces to immediate attacks on terrorist targets and infrastructure.' According to Reuters, witnesses on Tuesday, November 9, reported that Israeli forces also bombarded Gaza with air, sea, and ground attacks during the night, targeting northwestern Gaza where Israeli forces were conducting ground operations. Some other witnesses noted that Israeli forces targeted the main road from north to south Gaza on Monday and attacked the city of Gaza from two directions. Israel also announced that its forces freed an Israeli soldier from Hamas captivity. This Islamist group, supported by the Islamic Republic, has so far released four civilians out of 240 hostages that Israel claims were taken by Hamas in the October 7 attacks. Many of the hostages are believed to be held in Gaza's underground tunnels. Hamas militants killed 1,400 people in their attacks, most of whom were civilians. Meanwhile, health officials in Gaza, controlled by Hamas, report that since October 7, 8,306 people, including 3,457 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks. UN officials state that over a quarter of a million of Gaza's civilian population, which is about 2.3 million, have become homeless. Reuters has been unable to independently verify the casualty figures in Gaza. The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, claimed that the group's militants engaged with Israeli forces that attacked southern Gaza on Tuesday. This group, supported by the Islamic Republic, claimed that four Israeli vehicles were targeted with 'Al-Yasin 105' anti-tank missiles. Reuters cannot confirm reports related to these clashes, and the Israeli army has not commented on this matter. The rising casualties have prompted several countries and the UN to call for a ceasefire to provide more humanitarian aid to Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Monday that Israel would not agree to a 'ceasefire' and would continue its plans for the 'destruction of Hamas.' The Israeli army reported the death of another senior Hamas commander. Netanyahu described the current war as a 'clash of civilizations' and referred to the Islamic Republic and Hamas as the 'axis of terror.' The UN Relief Agency stated that an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza has become a matter of life and death. Israel's advance in Gaza aims at 'destroying Hamas' and recovering hostages. The United States assured Saudi Arabia of its support against threats from the Islamic Republic. Matthew Miller stated that the U.S. pressured Israel to restore internet access in Gaza. The body of Shiriel Hayimpour, an Israeli of Iranian descent killed by Hamas, was buried.