Israel Intensifies Urban Combat in Gaza and Strengthens Measures to to Take Down Hamas

Israel has signaled its determination to root out Hamas by intensifying urban warfare after deploying tanks in the center of Rafah, Gaza Strip in Palestine.

Daniel Hagari, the head spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), stated in a press briefing on the 28th (local time), “Hamas members are still active in Rafah, posing a terrorist threat,” and justified the airstrikes by saying, “Hamas troops are still present in Rafah.”

He also mentioned, “A few days ago, shots were fired from Rafah’s launch pad towards Tel Aviv,” and explained, “Millions of people headed to shelters.”

Earlier that day, Reuters and other sources reported that according to witness testimonies, Israeli tanks had infiltrated the center of Rafah.

Hagari said, “We are conducting operations in Rafah in a very targeted and precise manner. He added, “Yesterday and today, we tracked down the Philadelphi Route leading to the Sinai Peninsula.”

He further stated, “We are in communication with Egypt and are demolishing tunnels. There are still hostages in Rafah, and we will do everything possible to bring them back.”

The IDF announced earlier that day that it had deployed the Beersheba Brigade to Rafah, and along with the already dispatched five brigades, it is conducting operations to track down Hamas weapons and eliminate enemy forces through the Philadelphi Route.