Israeli military says it has 'completely encircled' Gaza City | DW News

Following days of an expanded ground operation in northern Gaza, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari said Thursday evening that Israeli troops have "completed the encirclement of the city of Gaza."

The IDF said it had also destroyed Hamas military installations and infrastructure as it advanced on Gaza City from several directions. Military analysts have assessed that completely rooting out Hamas militants in a thickly settled urban area will be a long and arduous process.

"Terrorist infrastructure" had also been targeted in civilian areas, the army said. Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain in northern Gaza. Israel has repeatedly claimed Hamas forces and military assets are embedded in civilian infrastructure.

Israel, as well as the US, Germany, the EU and others, have designated Hamas a terrorist organization.

The UN has called for a humanitarian cease-fire to allow aid to reach civilians. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said that four shelters had been damaged in the past 24 hours. It also said that 20 people were reported killed at a UN school in the Jabaliya refugee camp.

Hagari told journalists that "the concept of a cease-fire is not currently on the table at all."

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?sub_confirmation=1

For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/
Follow DW on social media:
►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/
►Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwnews
►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwnews
►Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/dwnews_hangout
Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: https://www.youtube.com/dwdeutsch
#Israel #Hamas #Gaza

Видео Israeli military says it has 'completely encircled' Gaza City | DW News канала DW News