Israeli army launches new offensive in central Gaza Strip

The Israeli army has announced the launch of a "surprise military operation" in the central part of the Gaza Strip.

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Israeli army launches new offensive in central Gaza Strip

In a written statement issued by the army, "The 162nd Division began a surprise military operation in the central Gaza Strip last night." the statement said.

The statement, which noted that the operation is being conducted "under the leadership of the 162nd Division," claimed that fighter jets struck numerous "enemy infrastructure" targets above and below ground before ground troops entered the area.

The statement further noted that the Maneuver Forces and the Air Force carried out a joint operation based on precise intelligence, adding, "In this context, naval forces also carried out numerous strikes on the coastal area in central Gaza Strip to support the soldiers operating in the region." it said.

Israeli army radio also reported that in the central Gaza Nuseirat Refugee Camp noted that it launched the operation with a series of consecutive airstrikes in the surrounding area.

'WE MUST INTENSIFY OPERATIONS'

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated in an interview yesterday with the Israeli state broadcaster KAN, "We must intensify our operations in Rafah, Deir al-Balah, and Nuseirat, some of which will begin today (Wednesday). The Israeli army is taking action and will continue to do so. We will dismantle Hamas's organized structure and continue to demilitarize the Gaza Strip." he said.

Smotrich, a member of the war cabinet, regarding a potential ground offensive on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, "stated that entering Rafah is already the right thing to do and that military pressure must be increased." he stated.

According to a report by Israel's Channel 12, a heated debate took place during Tuesday's cabinet meeting following the army's withdrawal from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip and the postponement of the operation in Rafah.

The issue of postponing the expected military operation in Rafah led to "disagreements and heated arguments" between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several ministers, and Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi.

HAD ANNOUNCED WITHDRAWAL FROM KHAN YUNIS

The Israeli army announced in a statement on April 7 that it had withdrawn from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had previously stated that the army withdrew from Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, where it left behind widespread destruction, in preparation for an offensive on Rafah in the south.

In a statement on April 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also indicated that a date had been set for a ground offensive on Rafah in the south, where 1.5 million Palestinians who fled the country's attacks have taken refuge.

Benny Gantz, a member of the War Cabinet formed for Israel's attacks on Gaza following October 7, reiterated the threat yesterday, on the first day of Eid al-Fitr, that "the army will enter Rafah and then return to Khan Yunis, from where they withdrew."

News Source: AA