The Israeli government has approved an extension allowing the recruitment of 350,000 reserve soldiers through the end of 2024, as reported by Hebrew radio.
In related news, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that 15 soldiers from the Paratrooper Brigade have refused to return to combat in Gaza.
The Israeli forces continue their land, sea, and air assault on the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7th last year, resulting in nearly 135,000 Palestinian casualties, including deaths and injuries.
The Israeli military announced on Friday that its forces have eliminated 250 Palestinian people and destroyed six tunnels during a military operation in Khan Yunis.
Additionally, the bodies of five hostages were recovered. In a detailed statement, the military reported that the 98th Division completed simultaneous operations in Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah after approximately a month of above and below-ground manoeuvres.
The statement highlighted that the Yahalom unit discovered and destroyed six tunnels, each approximately six kilometres long, that contained special complexes for militants, combat means, and militants who were neutralised.
The 7th Brigade engaged in combat in the areas of Khan Yunis and Deir al-Balah, uncovering combat means and destroying dozens of ambush points and militant complexes.
Further, the 77th Battalion raided a significant Hamas location in Deir al-Balah, where they found combat means, a rocket launch pad, and intelligence documents.
The Paratroopers Brigade fought in the “Hamad” district west of Khan Yunis and in the city’s eastern neighbourhoods, operating amidst densely populated urban areas with high-rise buildings.
The office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refuted reports that Israel agreed to a U.S. request for a humanitarian ceasefire to facilitate polio vaccinations in Gaza.
According to Netanyahu’s office, “The reports that Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza are incorrect.”
The statement clarified that the arrangement was not a ceasefire but merely a designation of specific areas within the sector to administer polio vaccines.
