Israeli Army Continues Attack On Gaza After Israeli PM's Speech, Hamas Says Netanyahu Lies

JAKARTA - Israeli forces moved further into several cities on the eastern side of Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Thursday, July 25, hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the United States parliament.

Fighting in recent days has centered around the eastern cities of Bani Suaila, Al-Zanna, and Al-Kara, where soldiers found bodies of five Israelis killed in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 against Israel.

Israeli bombings increased in several areas in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, as tanks operated in the north, west, and in the city center, residents and medics said. Several Palestinians were also injured in Israeli fire on Thursday morning.

The Israeli military said troops operating in Khan Younis killed dozens of militants and dismantled about 50 military infrastructure, while they resumed activities in Rafah, killing two militants.

In a speech at the US Congress, Netanyahu said his government was actively involved in seeking the release of the remaining hostages and was confident it would succeed.

Hamas militants took more than 250 people hostage in a morning attack on southern Israel and killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel retaliated by vowing to eradicate Hamas in Gaza in a nine-month war that has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials said.

Several people were injured in eastern cities as a result of Israeli tank and airstrikes, while airstrikes east of Khan Younis killed four people, Palestinian health officials said.

Hamas described Netanyahu's comments as a pure lie that accused him of thwarting attempts to end the war.

Netanyahu's comments also let many Palestinian refugees hope for a clearer signal about the end of the fighting, which has left the overcrowded territory wasted and created a humanitarian crisis.

"It's sad, he didn't even mention a ceasefire at all, not at all," said Tamer Al-Burai, a resident of Gaza City, who is now taking refuge in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

"People were waiting for a surprise, Netanyahu's announcement of a ceasefire as a gift to (US President) Joe Biden, but they fell asleep with a lot of disappointment, as Netanyahu said he was determined to continue the war," Burai told Reuters through a chat app.

Deir Al-Balah, who has not been attacked by tanks, is currently filled with hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, who have fled from other areas of the enclave, which is home to 2.3 million people.

Netanyahu talks in a drama, he talks toipers, "said Burai.

The diplomatic efforts made by Arab mediators, backed by the United States, to reach a ceasefire agreement, appear to have stalled, as Israel is expected to send delegates for further talks next week.