All articles tagged with #militaryoperation
Protests across Israel oppose the government's plan to expand military operations in Gaza, citing risks to hostages and soldiers, with significant public and military opposition to a full occupation of Gaza, amid international condemnation and concerns over humanitarian crises.
Israel's military operation in Gaza is intensifying with a focus on destroying infrastructure and territory to weaken Hamas, whose leadership is increasingly worried about losing control as Israel makes strategic gains, aided by intelligence breakthroughs and humanitarian aid efforts. The situation remains tense with both sides facing critical time constraints.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have taken control of a significant Hamas intelligence center in northern Gaza, marking a strategic victory in the ongoing conflict. The center, equipped with extensive communications capabilities and a vast tunnel network, was defended fiercely by Hamas forces using advanced weaponry. The IDF's operation led to the capture of a key Hamas operative and the recovery of additional remains of a previously killed soldier. While the IDF has not disclosed whether the intelligence gathered will aid in capturing Hamas leaders or locating hostages, the operation represents a notable blow to Hamas's operational infrastructure.
As 2024 begins, the war in Ukraine persists with no significant changes in the front lines despite ongoing battles. Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his New Year address, avoided direct reference to the conflict but expressed support for Russian troops. Ukraine's 2023 counteroffensive has not achieved a breakthrough, and the country is preparing for a difficult winter. The Institute for the Study of War maps indicate heavy losses for Russian forces, particularly the elite VDV units, and fighting continues in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Despite setbacks, Ukrainian forces have made small gains, maintaining footholds across the Dnieper River.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a successful Ukrainian military operation in Crimea would serve as a global example and significantly impact Russia internally. He highlighted the importance of Crimea to Russian propaganda and the potential embarrassment to Putin if Russia lost its naval bases there. Zelensky emphasized the role of Western military assistance, including the German-made Taurus missile, in Ukraine's potential to isolate Crimea and reduce attacks from the region. He was cautious about revealing military plans, noting past leaks had aided Russian defenses, but underscored the strategic significance of Crimea in the ongoing conflict.