Defence Minister Yoav Gallant claimed that Hamas has lost control of the Gaza Strip, revealing that the Israel Defence Forces are actively capturing Gaza City. Gallant mentioned that Israeli forces are making significant advancements across various locations, causing terrorists to retreat southward, according to The Times of Israel.
“There is no force of Hamas capable of stopping the IDF. The IDF is advancing at every location. The Hamas organisation has lost control in Gaza. Terrorists are fleeing south, and civilians are looting Hamas bases. They have no confidence in the government,” Gallant said, according to The Times of Israel.
This development occurred on the 39th day of the Israel-Hamas war. Meanwhile, Gaza medical authorities report that over 11,000 people have been confirmed killed in the war, with approximately 40% being children.
IDF identifies Gaza hospital where hostages were held
The military on Monday night reported that Hamas operatives had taken refuge in Gaza City’s Rantisi hospital during a raid. They asserted having evidence indicating that hostages were being held within the facility. In the lower levels of Rantissi Hospital, Israeli forces discovered a bicycle bearing bullet marks, indicating its potential use in transporting hostages to Gaza.
“Underneath the hospital, in the basement, we found a Hamas command and control centre, suicide-bomb vests, grenades, AK-47 assault rifles, explosive devices, RPGs, and other weapons, computers, money, etc.” Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesman Rear Adm.
“And we also found signs that indicate that Hamas held hostages here,” Israel military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told a televised briefing. “This is currently under our investigation. But we also have intelligence that verifies it.”
The military unveiled footage of the event, asserting the elimination of a group of gunmen who had attacked soldiers from an alternate hospital in Gaza City. Israeli forces successfully neutralised members of a terrorist cell that had fired upon them from Al-Quds Hospital on Monday.
Hamas ready to release 70 hostages in exchange for 5-day truce
Hamas’ armed wing expressed readiness to release up to 70 women and children held in Gaza in exchange for a five-day truce in the ongoing conflict. “The truce should include a complete ceasefire and allowing aid and humanitarian relief everywhere in the Gaza Strip,” Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the armed wing of Hamas, Alqassam Brigades,. said in a recorded audio published on the group’s Telegram channel.
Gaza patients trapped in ‘circle of death’
IDF have targeted Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, alleging that Hamas has constructed bunkers underneath and operates from the healthcare facility. Israeli forces reached the gates of Gaza City’s main hospital on Monday, a primary target in their effort to seize control of the northern half of the Gaza Strip. Medics report patients, including newborns, are dying due to a lack of fuel.
“We are besieged and are inside a circle of death,” Dr Ahmed El Mokhallalati told Reuters.
The bombing of Gaza’s hospitals has drawn condemnation from world leaders urging Netanyahu not to target civilians. As of November 13, 650 patients, 500 healthcare workers, and an estimated 2,500 displaced people remain inside the Al-Shifa hospital compound.