Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Mar 23: Israeli forces intensified their operations in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, encircling the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The military reported that troops had surrounded the area overnight, killing multiple militants and raiding a Hamas command and control center. The operation aims to dismantle militant infrastructure and eliminate threats to expand Israel’s security zone in southern Gaza.

Footage released by the IDF showed soldiers advancing with armored personnel carriers and military dogs, firing into damaged buildings before entering them. Meanwhile, videos on social media depicted civilians, including women and children, fleeing Rafah amid the escalation.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted Hamas positions in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, over the weekend, with fighter jets striking multiple locations.

Health authorities in Gaza reported that at least 41 bodies and 61 wounded individuals were brought to hospitals in the past 24 hours, pushing the overall death toll from the conflict to 50,021, with 113,274 injured since hostilities began in October 2023. The latest Israeli offensive has effectively ended a two-month ceasefire.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that the military campaign’s objective is to dismantle Hamas and secure the release of remaining hostages. Since the resumption of airstrikes on March 18, at least 673 people have been killed and 1,233 wounded, Gaza health officials stated.