Israeli army spokesman:

Terror tunnels under most houses in the Gaza Strip

According to the Israeli army, it has discovered terror tunnels or weapons caches belonging to the Islamist Hamas "under most of the houses" in the Gaza Strip. In addition, "the majority of schools, mosques, hospitals and international institutions have been used by Hamas for its military operations", wrote Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari in a guest article for the US newspaper "Wall Street Journal" published on Sunday (local time).

Israel's army had previously repeatedly stated that Hamas was using civilian facilities and civilians as human shields. The military's claims cannot be independently verified. Hamas wants the world to believe that Israel's army is waging war against the whole of Gaza. "In reality, our war is against Hamas, not against the people of Gaza", wrote Hagari, adding: "We are waging this war with a heavy heart and are aware of the tragic loss of civilians on both sides".

Army spokesman Daniel Hagari in front of a tunnel entrance(Bild: APA/AFP/JACK GUEZ)

Army: "Our task is to smash Hamas"
The Gaza war was triggered by the unprecedented massacre carried out by terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7 in Israel near the border with Gaza. More than 1200 people were killed on the Israeli side. Israel responded with massive air strikes and a ground offensive. The high number of civilian casualties has been strongly criticized internationally. The massive destruction caused by Israel's bombardment is also causing horror. "Our task is to smash Hamas and bring our hostages home - not to destroy the Gaza Strip or expel its population," army spokesman Hagari continued in his guest article.

Almost 30,000 Palestinians killed
According to the Hamas-controlled health authority on Sunday, the number of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip has now risen to 29,692 and the number of people injured to 69,879. The authority does not differentiate between civilians and armed fighters, but points out that women, children and elderly men make up a high proportion of the victims. The figures cannot be independently verified, but are considered sufficiently reliable by international organizations.