Israel advances in Gaza: ground offensive aims to eliminate Hamas and free hostages

After weeks of military preparation, evacuation warnings, and targeted attacks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale ground offensive against Gaza City this Tuesday.

The central objective is clear: dismantle the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas, free the hostages, and guarantee the safety of Israeli citizens.

The ground offensive and the siege of Hamas

The Israeli Defense Minister was forceful in stating that "Gaza is on fire", while troops advanced from the outskirts toward the city center. According to a senior military official, the "main phase" of the operation has begun, with the army determined to destroy tunnels and neutralize the 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas fighters who still resist in the area.

Airstrikes prior to the offensive had weakened the Islamist group's positions, toppling towers that served as command centers and weapons storage. Israel's strategy is precise: reduce Hamas's capacity, which is now limited to guerrilla attacks, and prevent the group from continuing to use the civilian population as human shields.

International support and warnings to Hamas

US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, warned that Hamas's time is running out and that any agreement must include the release of the hostages and the total demobilization of the terrorist group. After meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Rubio made it clear that the international community can't accept a negotiation that leaves Hamas intact.

In the same vein, President Donald Trump issued a firm warning: if Hamas resorts again to the tactic of using Israeli hostages as human shields, it will face "serious problems". The statement underscores that the United States supports Israel's right to defend itself against those who seek its destruction.

Israel also responds to the threat in Yemen

The conflict is not limited to Gaza. The IDF confirmed an attack on a military facility in the port of Hodeida, Yemen, controlled by Houthi rebels.

According to the Israeli army, these groups, armed by Iran, use the port to transfer weaponry intended to attack Israel and its allies in the region. The preventive action demonstrates Israel's determination to neutralize any external threat and cut off the support network that connects Hamas with Tehran.

A fight for survival and freedom

Israel's offensive in Gaza is not an act of aggression, but a legitimate national defense operation against a terrorist group that has kidnapped civilians, launched indiscriminate attacks, and used innocents as shields. Meanwhile, as Hamas hides under tunnels and mosques, Israel faces the difficult task of eradicating it without allowing it to continue imposing terror.

Israel's defense is the defense of freedom and security in the Middle East. Its fight against Hamas and other Islamist groups backed by Iran is also a fight against global terrorism.