Israeli Army expands ground operations in southern Gaza
Shafaq News/ The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it has expanded its ground operation in southern Gaza, launching a series of air and ground attacks over the weekend targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad positions.
According to the army's spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, Israeli forces began a new offensive in the Al-Jeneina neighborhood of Rafah, aiming to "expand the defensive security zone" in the southern part of the strip. He added that Israeli troops destroyed Hamas-linked infrastructure in the area.
In addition, the army and the Shin Bet continued airstrikes across Gaza, targeting what he described as "terrorist infrastructure" belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Over the weekend, Israeli strikes hit weapons depots, rocket launch platforms, and military facilities used by militants, Adraee said.
The army also reported eliminating several fighters, some of whom were allegedly involved in launching mortar shells toward Israeli territory.
Earlier today, Israeli channel 12 reported that the army launched a wide range of airstrikes and artillery shelling across Gaza, with explosions heard in various parts of the region.
Medical sources also informed Al Jazeera that 21 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza since the early hours of Saturday, with 13 casualties reported in the southern part of the strip.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, the cumulative toll since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, has risen to 50,277 deaths and 114,095 injuries.
#عاجل جيش الدفاع يوسّع العملية البرية في جنوب قطاع غزة ويهاجم عشرات الأهداف الإرهابية خلال نهاية الأسبوع المنصرم⭕️بدأت قوات جيش الدفاع خلال الساعات الماضية عملية برية في منطقة حي الجنينة في رفح بهدف توسيع منطقة التأمين الدفاعية في جنوب القطاع. خلال العملية دمرت القوات بنى… pic.twitter.com/yRbRGtfCx8
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) March 29, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
9 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Palestinian President demands Hamas relinquish Gaza
Shafaq News/ Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday called on Hamas to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip and end what he described as its 2007 'coup against Palestinian legitimacy.' In a video address to the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee, Abbas stressed the need to release hostages to halt the bloodshed and secure the release of Palestinian prisoners. 'A ceasefire must be achieved at any cost,' Abbas affirmed, adding that humanitarian aid must be allowed into Gaza and that the Palestinian Authority should resume its civil and security responsibilities in the territory. 'If Hamas wishes to be recognized as a political faction within the PLO, it must adhere to the concept of one state, one law, and one legitimate weapon. Without this, we cannot accept its membership.' Regarding governance in Gaza, he expressed the authority's readiness to assume full responsibility for Gaza in coordination with Arab states and relevant international actors. 'It is vital for peace and security to prevail in Gaza.' The Palestinian president also called for pressure on the Israeli government to release withheld Palestinian funds, 'which amount to roughly $2 billion,' urging regional and international support for financial and economic assistance in line with the government's proposed plan. 'The Palestinian Authority carried out wide-ranging governmental and constitutional reforms, and we affirm that its policy is based on rejecting terrorism and violence and opposing the targeting of civilians regardless of their nationality or affiliation,' he concluded. This year, the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee held a virtual meeting after Israel barred the delegation from entering Ramallah. Formed at the November 2023 Joint Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit in Riyadh, the committee includes foreign ministers from key Arab and Islamic countries, along with representatives from the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The meeting, originally intended to be held in person, focused on efforts to end the war in Gaza, facilitate humanitarian aid, and support Palestinian statehood. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders and discussed preparations for an international conference in New York, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia.
Iraqi News
10 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq reaffirms commitment to supporting Lebanon
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, reaffirmed on Sunday Iraq's continued support for the Lebanese people as well as Lebanon's internal political consensus. In a joint press conference held with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, Al-Sudani affirmed Iraq's commitment to achieving Arab integration, according to a statement cited by the Iraqi News Agency (INA). Aoun's visit to Iraq represents an important opportunity to enhance relations at security, economic, and social levels and to confront regional challenges, according to Al-Sudani. The Iraqi prime minister highlighted that Iraq's chair of the Arab Summit will seek to promote Lebanon's unity, state institutions, and territorial sovereignty. The two leaders discussed potential collaborative prospects in energy, communications, and commerce, as well as integration that would benefit the people of both countries. Al-Sudani reiterated Iraq's condemnation of Israel's continuous attacks on Lebanese sovereignty, which are deemed a violation of international law. Additionally, Al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq's support for Syria's sovereignty and independence, denouncing Israeli strikes on Syrian territory and policies that exacerbate sectarian unrest. The Iraqi prime minister stated that Iraq seeks to put an end to Israel's cruel aggression, genocide, and starvation policies in Gaza, which target innocent civilians. Al-Sudani announced in mid-May that Iraq will donate $40 million to support the reconstruction of Lebanon and Gaza, both of which have suffered significant damage in recent conflicts with Israel.
Shafaq News
10 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Gaza ceasefire deal stalls amid Hamas concerns
Shafaq News/ Hopes for a breakthrough in Gaza ceasefire negotiations have dimmed, as Hamas voiced serious reservations over the latest US-backed proposal, a senior Palestinian rights official told Shafaq News. In an exclusive interview, Salah Abdel-Ati, head of the Gaza-based International Commission to Support the Palestinian People's Rights, said the movement's rejection stems from 'deep mistrust' over the terms of the deal—particularly the mechanisms for humanitarian aid delivery and the ambiguity surrounding a potential Israeli military withdrawal from the enclave. 'These gaps undermine the credibility of the ceasefire proposal,' Abdel-Ati explained. 'Hamas remains skeptical that the agreement, in its current form, will lead to a sustainable solution or address the core issues of the conflict.' Despite active mediation by Egypt and Qatar, Abdel-Ati confirmed that no concrete progress has been made. 'The movement is waiting for clearer, verifiable guarantees before engaging further in the process,' he said. On Saturday, Hamas officially submitted its response to the proposal led by Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East. The movement proposed amendments aimed at transforming the temporary ceasefire into a permanent truce, emphasizing the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian access, and a prisoner-exchange framework. However, the US envoy denounced Hamas's amendments as 'completely unacceptable,' saying the move 'sets the process backward rather than advancing it.' In explaining Hamas's persistent hesitation, Abdel-Ati also referenced the broader context of 'unfulfilled' regional commitments, pointing to the Arab League's 'Baghdad Declaration,' adopted during the May 17 summit, which called for an immediate ceasefire and the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in Palestinian territories. 'Despite the strong language, no implementation mechanisms have materialized,' he noted. 'This lack of follow-through only deepens distrust and complicates efforts to reach a lasting agreement.' Meanwhile, violence continues to escalate in Gaza with at least 30 Palestinians were killed and over 120 wounded on Saturday when Israeli forces opened fire on crowds gathered near a US-managed aid distribution center in western Rafah, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The death toll from the Gaza war, which began on October 7, 2023, has now surpassed 54,000 Palestinians, with more than 124,000 injured, amid repeated warnings from humanitarian agencies about the collapse of health and aid systems under ongoing bombardment.
