The Israeli military has announced that it has regained control of the Gaza border. This comes after Hamas militants breached defenses over the weekend, wreaking havoc in nearby communities and resulting in the death of numerous Israeli citizens.
Richard Hecht, spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), stated that no militants have entered from the Gaza Strip since Monday night. However, he cautioned that there may still be Palestinian attackers on the move within Israel.
According to Hecht, the bodies of 1,500 militants have been discovered within Israeli territory so far, with hundreds more captured. Despite this, exchanges of fire along the border have persisted since Hamas’ surprise assault on Israel on Saturday.
Continued Clashes in Border Communities
In recent hours, clashes have taken place in the communities of Sa’ad and Kissufim in the Negev desert, close to the Gaza Strip. Israel has continued its relentless retaliatory airstrikes on the territory.
Human Toll of the Conflict
The conflict has claimed a heavy toll on both sides. In Israel, over 900 people have been killed by Hamas fighters since Saturday, with more than 2,600 others injured, according to the Israeli Health Ministry. In the Gaza Strip, massive Israeli counter-attacks have resulted in the deaths of at least 687 people and injuries to more than 3,800.
Preparations for Potential Ground Invasion
On Monday, Israel called up approximately 300,000 reservists in anticipation of a potential ground invasion of the densely populated Palestinian enclave. “We are now concentrating on our offensive in Gaza,” Hecht stated. The Israeli military has set up infrastructure in preparation for future operations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas of the consequences they would face, stating, “What Hamas will face will be harsh and terrible. We are only at the beginning.”
