Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
JERUSALEM, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) — Israel on Wednesday launched a new offensive on Gaza City to crush the Palestinian Hamas movement, a move that has drawn international criticism for its impact on civilians in the enclave.
According to IDF spokesman Efi Defrin, the armed forces have begun the next phase of the operation “at the direction of the political leadership.” He said ground attacks are already underway in the Zeitoun area of Gaza City and the nearby town of Jabalya, with additional forces preparing to join the fighting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the offensive was aimed at “defeating Hamas and capturing Gaza City.” The IDF said it now has “operational control” of about 75 percent of the Gaza Strip after repeated offensives that left much of the enclave’s largest city in ruins.
The Israeli cabinet is expected to meet later this week to finalize the offensive plan. The army said 60,000 reservists had been mobilized, with another 20,000 expected to be added in the coming days.
“We will inflict even greater damage on Hamas in Gaza City, the stronghold of government and military terror,” Defrin said, vowing to destroy infrastructure “above and below ground” and break the civilian population’s dependence on Hamas. He noted that 22 months of fighting had already transformed Hamas from a “military group” into a “worn-out guerrilla organization.”
Israeli strikes in the past 24 hours have killed at least 58 people and injured 185 others, according to Gaza health authorities. At least 62,122 people have died in the enclave since the start of the current round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including 266 who have died of starvation, including 112 children. –0–
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