Israel Claims It Has 'Cut Gaza In Half'; US Pushes For Pause In Fighting

TEL AVIV: The Israeli Army has claimed a decisive turn in the ongoing conflict, with "significant strikes" targeting Hamas positions and a bold statement that the Gaza Strip has been "cut into two," according to reports from CNN. Daniel Hagari, an Army spokesperson, announced that Israeli forces have effectively "encircled Gaza City," resulting in the division of Gaza into a north and south region. "Troops have reached the coastline and secured it," he added.

Surging strikes on Hamas terror infrastructure

"There are now widespread strikes on terror infrastructure - below ground and above it," as reported by Al Jazeera, quoting Hagari. In a related development, LTG Herzi Halevi, Chief of the General Staff, confirmed during a meeting in the Northern Command that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stand ready to act swiftly in the northern Gaza region. "We have a clear goal of restoring significantly improved security at the borders, not only in the Gaza Strip... We are prepared to strike in the north at any moment," the IDF posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Intense airstrikes and explosions

The northern part of the Gaza enclave has witnessed intense airstrikes and massive explosions, marking the most substantial escalation since the conflict began. These attacks have once again disrupted phone and internet services.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a statement reported by The Times of Israel, declared on Sunday that Israel will not consider a ceasefire until the Hamas terror group releases the hostages it is holding. He emphasized, "Take this word 'ceasefire' out of the lexicon. We will continue until we defeat them; we do not have an alternative."

On the international stage, Israel's envoy to the US, Michael Herzog, described Gaza as the world's "biggest terror complex," according to Times of Israel. Herzog expressed concern about the extensive presence of fighters, rockets, and underground tunnels in Gaza, emphasizing the need to eliminate this threat to prevent further attacks.

Troops expected to enter Gaza City

Israeli media has reported that Israeli troops are preparing to enter Gaza City within the next 48 hours. Residents in northern Gaza have witnessed powerful explosions after nightfall.

Communication Blackout

The "collapse in connectivity" across Gaza, reported by internet access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmed by Palestinian telecom company Paltel, has further complicated the situation. UN Palestinian refugee agency spokesperson Juliette Touma expressed concern about communication loss with the majority of the UNRWA team members.

Despite international appeals and demonstrations, Israel continues its bombardment across Gaza. Critics argue that Israel's strikes often result in a disproportionate number of civilian casualties, given the densely populated urban areas in the region.

Antony Blinken arrives in Turkey

Hours after an unannounced stop in Iraq, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Turkey in the early hours of Monday (local time) to hold a key diplomatic meeting, CNN reported. Turkey happens to be his last stop in the region before heading to Asia.

Blinken is expected to meet with Turkish officials on Monday morning to discuss the Israel-Hamas war.
Notably, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been immensely critical of Israel's offensive in Gaza, calling the actions "crimes against humanity" and saying this weekend he was suspending communications with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Turkey has also recalled its ambassador to Israel for "consultation". Blinken has travelled to Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, Cyprus, and Iraq so far as part of his whirlwind diplomatic trip, CNN reported.

Blinken met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, following discussions with Arab foreign ministers. 

Over 4,000 children dead

The Palestinian health ministry said more than 9,700 Palestinians have been killed in the territory in nearly a month of war, more than 4,000 of them children. That toll likely will rise as Israeli troops advance into dense, urban neighbourhoods. The United Nations, which is providing shelter to many of the 1.5 million displaced Gazans, reports damage to 48 of its sites across the Gaza Strip since the start of the conflict.