# Israeli Forces Engage in Intense Battles with Hamas in Gaza Strip
Israeli forces have intensified their ground offensive in Gaza, battling Hamas militants across the region. The most recent combat took place in Khan Younis, the second-largest city in Gaza, further reducing the safe areas for Palestinians and disrupting the distribution of essential aid throughout the territory.
According to reports, more than 80% of the population in Gaza, which includes 1.87 million people, have been displaced from their homes due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.
The situation in the north is dire, with parts of Gaza City completely destroyed. Palestinians fear that other parts of the region could suffer a similar fate as Israel’s campaign to dismantle Hamas continues.
Israeli troops have made significant advances in the south, particularly in Khan Younis. The military has described the recent day of fighting as “the most intense” since the start of the ground operation several weeks ago.
Aid distribution has been severely limited, with supplies of flour and water being distributed only in and around the border city of Rafah due to ongoing fighting and road closures by Israeli forces.
Medical facilities are also facing critical shortages. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the town of Deir al-Balah, north of Khan Younis, is running low on fuel and essential medical supplies. The hospital is struggling to provide adequate care to the hundreds of wounded individuals brought in daily since a weeklong truce expired on December 1.
The lack of electricity in Gaza since early October has exacerbated the situation, with several hospitals forced to shut down due to the inability to operate emergency generators. Additionally, Israel has severely restricted fuel imports into the region.
The toll of the conflict is staggering, with the Health Ministry in Gaza reporting that over 16,200 people have been killed, with 70% of the casualties being women and children. Furthermore, more than 42,000 people have been wounded in the ongoing violence.
The ministry’s figures do not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths, but reports from the Israeli military align with the overall tally of casualties. Hundreds more have lost their lives since the recent cease-fire ended, and many individuals remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed buildings.
The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, has continued to engage in rocket fire into Israel, further escalating tensions in the region.
As the conflict rages on, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with concerns growing over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the Gaza Strip.
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