Nine Israeli Soldiers Perish in Gaza City Ambush

Palestinian militants in a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City staged an ambush on Israeli troops, leading to the deaths of at least nine Israeli soldiers, as reported by the media on Wednesday. This incident occurred amidst ongoing fierce resistance by Hamas in regions that have been isolated and heavily bombarded by Israeli airstrikes for over nine weeks.

The conflict, which was triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, has led to over 18,400 Palestinian deaths, predominantly civilians. Nearly 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced, and much of the northern territory is heavily damaged.

The U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration has repeatedly urged Israel to minimize civilian casualties, despite blocking global calls for a ceasefire and expediting military support to Israel.

Israeli ground troops have been engaged in intense combat with Palestinian fighters in Gaza City and its surroundings for over six weeks. Notably, the Shijaiyah neighborhood, a previous battle site in the 2014 war, witnessed significant overnight clashes.

Local resident Mustafa Abu Taha described the terrifying conditions, with no safe haven available for civilians. An incident in Shijaiyah involving Israeli troops losing contact with four soldiers led to a rescue mission that was met with an ambush, resulting in several casualties, including high-ranking officers Col. Itzhak Ben Basat and Lt. Col. Tomer Grinberg.

In southern Gaza, heavy rain flooded tent camps, worsening the situation for displaced people. The area, suggested as a refuge by Israel, has also been subject to aerial attacks. The ongoing conflict and blockade have severely strained healthcare and humanitarian aid, raising concerns about starvation and disease spread.

Recent Israeli strikes in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, resulted in multiple civilian casualties, including children and the elderly. While the Israeli military rarely comments on specific strikes, it maintains that efforts are made to avoid civilian harm, blaming the high toll on Hamas’s tactics of using residential areas for military purposes.

President Biden criticized the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for its aggressive tactics, suggesting a loss of international support. Despite this, the Israeli war effort enjoys broad support domestically.

The United Nations General Assembly recently passed a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, reflecting global opinion against the ongoing conflict. However, the U.S. continues to pressure Israel for greater caution in reducing civilian casualties.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reports over 18,400 Palestinian deaths, with a majority being women and children. The ministry does not distinguish between civilian and combatant casualties.

Post-war plans remain a point of contention. While the U.S. aims to revive the peace process and proposes governance of Gaza by the Palestinian Authority, Israel and the U.S. disagree on the aftermath of a potential Hamas defeat. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government opposes the creation of a Palestinian state.