Netanyahu: Gaza exacting heavy toll
3 Min Read
After 14 Israeli soldiers were reported to have been killed in Gaza in the past couple of days, Netanyahu affirms that war against Gaza must persist despite the mounting Israeli casualties,
-
Occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, centre, chairs a cabinet meeting, "Tel Aviv", Occupied Palestine Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 (AP)
As the Palestinian resistance ravaged the ranks of invading Israeli soldiers in Gaza, the Israeli authorities grew more concerned not only about the ground invasion's prospects of success but also the mounting losses.
The occupation prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been the most vehement warmonger against the people of Gaza, admitted that the small besieged Palestinian strip is exacting a "very heavy price" as the death toll of Israeli soldiers killed by the resistance is mounting; with 14 soldiers reported to have been neutralized since Friday.
"This is a difficult morning, after a very difficult day of fighting in Gaza," Netanyahu said.
"The war is exacting a very heavy price... but we have no choice but to keep fighting."
"We are continuing with full force until the end, until victory, until we achieve all of our goals: the destruction of Hamas, the return of our hostages, and ensuring that Gaza will never again constitute a threat to the State of Israel," he added.
"Let it be clear: This will be a long war... (until) Hamas is eliminated and we restore security in both the north and the south."
The Israeli occupation forces said that as many as 485 Israeli soldiers have been killed since October 7.
Read more: Resistance destroys 5 Merkavas using unexploded IOF rockets
Resistance in Gaza ambushes, snipes at invading Israeli forces
Earlier today, it was reported that the Palestinian Resistance fighters in Gaza are engaged in fierce battles against the invading Israeli forces on several axes within the blockaded Strip as the IOF continues to incur paramount losses.
The entire northern direction of the Gaza Strip is embroiled in heavy fighting amid fierce resistance against the invading Israeli soldiers, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported.
Jabalia al-Balad of northern Gaza has witnessed numerous violent battles as the Resistance fighters inflicted a high number of casualties on the invading Israeli forces.
Northern Tal al-Zaatar has also seen heavy fighting amid violent confrontations taking place in its northeastern direction after the Resistance thwarted an Israeli invasion attempt.
Another hub for brutal confrontations was Bet Lahia and Beit Hanoun in the north, as well as Juhr al-Dik and Deir Balah in central Gaza.
The battles also included al-Shujaiya neighborhood that is still holding up despite being nearly carpet bombed by the Israeli occupation forces.
Read more: UN official calls Israeli conduct in Gaza ‘institutionalized impunity'
