Israeli forces intensified their attempt to demolish Hamas in Gaza on thursday, conducting fire battles and seizing control of a critical port a day after raiding the territory's largest hospital. The ground attack has targeted vital targets such as Gaza administrative facilities and infrastructure, as well as the Al-Shifa hospital, which israel claims is a Hamas command hub, although the group rejects it.

Bombardment thundered as gunfire rang out in beleaguered Gaza, according to AFP live footage. At the same time, Israel's UN envoy dismissed a UN Security Council resolution calling for "extended" cease-fires as "meaningless." The Israeli army announced thursday that its troops had assumed "operational control" of Gaza City's port in the territory's north, with at least a dozen tanks and groups of soldiers massed on the shore near Gaza City.

Israel has centered its air and military assault on Gaza City, declaring this week the takeover of the parliament complex, government buildings, and Hamas police headquarters. According to Israeli officials, israel has threatened to obliterate Hamas in revenge for the october 7 assaults, which killed 1,200 people, the majority of whom were civilians, and held around 240 people hostage.

According to the Israeli military, 51 of its personnel have been killed in Gaza since the combat began. However, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that the death toll from the onslaught has already surpassed 11,500, including thousands of children, calls for a cease-fire are growing. On a visit to israel on thursday, EU foreign policy leader Josep Borrell called for the captives to be released quickly, but also urged israel not to be "consumed by rage" in its fight against Hamas.

The military said late wednesday that it had conducted an additional operation at Al-Shifa, only hours after a pre-dawn assault revealed firearms, ammunition, and explosives from the property.

Both israel and its closest ally, the United States, claim that Hamas has dug tunnels beneath the Al-Shifa complex, which has become a focal point in the conflict.

The Palestinian militant organisation and hospital management have disputed the claim, and Hamas has also denied reports of weaponry on the premises.

UN agencies estimated that 2,300 patients, staff, and displaced residents were hiding at Al-Shifa when israel initially ordered troops inside the hospital complex on Wednesday.
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SIBY JEYYA

17/11/2023 07:57 AM