Israelis released Sunday were held north Gaza; focus of Israeli army
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An Israeli security official warns that the situation in northern Gaza is concerning in areas where the army is operating as the Resistance still has a vast network of tunnels.
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A Red Cross vehicle carrying Israeli captives drives by at the Gaza Strip heading toward Egypt through the Rafah Crossing on Saturday, November 25, 2023 (AP)
Israeli media reported on Sunday that the Israeli captives who were released last night were held in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the main theatre of the occupation army's ground invasion and focus of bombardment since the war was launched almost a month ago.
Earlier today, Israeli news outlets said the captives released by the Resistance on Saturday were transferred from Gaza City in the presence of residents of the city, pointing out that this means that they were detained where the Israeli army was operating.
In another blunder by the Israeli occupation forces, the #Palestinian Resistance released the Israeli captives in #Gaza from areas where the IOF were already operating.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 26, 2023
The Israeli captives were right under the nose of the Israeli army this entire time, dealing yet another… pic.twitter.com/Od6M7R1heg
Meanwhile, a senior security official in the Israeli army expressed concern regarding the areas in northern Gaza that the military has entered.
Read more: Joy roams Palestine after 39 prisoners freed from Israeli prisons
"Although the Israeli army has taken control of areas in the northern Gaza Strip, Hamas' presence remains strong, especially with an underground tunnel network that allows fighters to stay inside them for several months."
Hours after the temporary ceasefire between the Israeli occupation and the Resistance in Gaza came into effect last Friday, criticism began to rise within the occupation entity over the failure to achieve the declared objectives of the war on Gaza.
Commenting on the current situation in the Strip, Israeli media suggested then that "from a practical standpoint, the Israeli army is losing," adding that "there are ongoing problems facing the [Israeli] forces in Gaza during the truce."
Among these challenges was the inability to weaken the Palestinian Resistance despite the massive bombardment campaign, launched alongside a complete seige and blockade.
Following the truce announcment, Israeli media said anyone who mourned Hamas simply had to see this day; after 49 days of fighting, "Hamas has proven that it remains strong and in control of Gaza."
Hamas did not kneel in the face of the Israeli occupation forces' onslaught, Israeli media added. "This reality is still very far-fetched, unfortunately."
Following over 6 weeks of the Israeli brutal war on Gaza, which was accompanied by a near-complete blockade, a full siege on the residents, and over 1,300 massacres during the short period, the Resistance was able to enforce its initial conditions of not releasing any Israeli captive unless through an indirect prisoner exchange.
Read more: On third day of truce, 39 Palestinian children embrace freedom
![In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had "engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)](https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/12/21/b4a69f2e-8682-43e4-9d37-49482b304ab3/3.png?v=2&format=webp "In a 2021 interview with Frontline by former US special representative James Jeffrey, he says he had \"engaged with [HTS] via backchannels while serving in President Trump’s State Department. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)")
