Netanyahu promette di non ritirarsi da Gaza dopo il raid terroristico dei commando israeliani

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Wednesday that Israel would not retreat from areas it controls in the Gaza Strip, making the declaration following a high-profile commando raid that left civilians fleeing in terror. The operation, conducted by Israeli special forces, targeted a Hamas official in a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City, sparking widespread fear among residents. Netanyahu made his comments while visiting a military outpost near the so-called "yellow line," which marks the boundary of Israeli-occupied territory in Gaza. Speaking directly to soldiers, he emphasized that Israel maintains control over approximately 60 percent of the strip and is committed to achieving the disarmament of Hamas and the demilitarization of Gaza. “Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel. This goal has in fact been largely achieved. There is still work to be done and we will complete it,” Netanyahu stated. The raid occurred just before noon in the Katiba neighborhood of Gaza City, where witnesses described scenes of chaos as families scrambled to safety amid heavy gunfire and aerial bombardments. According to a local resident named Mahmoud Al Biss, armed men emerged from a white vehicle and opened fire indiscriminately. Drones and quadcopters dropped explosives, further escalating the violence. Al Biss recounted how he and others fled their tents with children and women, fearing for their lives. During the operation, Hamas security official Moin Al Arabeed was captured after being wounded. His wife and young daughter were killed, and his other children were injured in the crossfire, according to a member of Gaza’s internal security services. Al Arabeed, known locally as “the spy hunter” due to his role in identifying suspected collaborators with Israel, was a senior figure within Hamas’s armed wing, the Al Qassam Brigades. He had previously engaged in direct combat against Israeli forces. Israeli military officials confirmed the involvement of special forces in the raid but did not immediately clarify whether local Gaza militiamen were also present. The operation marked an escalation in Israel’s ongoing campaign against Hamas, despite a ceasefire agreement signed in October. While Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes in Gaza since then, Tuesday’s raid represented a more aggressive approach, involving ground forces and possibly allied fighters. Residents living near the affected area expressed deep concern over the potential for such operations to occur in densely populated zones. Amin Barakat, a 36-year-old resident of the Abu Mazen area, described the psychological toll on his family, who were frightened even though they were not physically close to the conflict. He spent hours calming his wife and children after learning that Israeli special forces were operating nearby. Netanyahu’s stance contrasts sharply with recent diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region. The United States has pushed for an agreement under which Israel would withdraw its troops from parts of Gaza. However, Netanyahu appears unmoved by these calls, insisting that Israel must maintain its presence until Hamas is fully disarmed. The capture of Al Arabeed is likely to provide valuable intelligence for Israeli authorities, according to Netanyahu, who suggested that the operation might yield critical information. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited fears among Palestinians about the risks posed by Israeli military actions in urban centers, where civilian casualties are often unavoidable. As the situation continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that can prevent further loss of life and stabilize the volatile region.