Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza in bloodiest fighting yet
Gaza has seen some of the bloodiest fighting yet, with more than a dozen Israeli soldiers killed over the weekend amid battles with Hamas.
This weekend has seen some of the fiercest battles since the start of Israelâs ground offensive into Gaza in late October, with 13 Israeli soldiers killed on Friday and Saturday, the authorities confirmed.
This suggests Hamas is still putting up tough resistance against Israel Defence Force (IDF) troops advancing through Gaza â despite Israelâs claims of Hamas being squashed.
The war has devastated parts of the Gaza Strip, killed more than 20,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly 85 per cent of Gazaâs 2.3 million people.
But hopes of a ceasefire are stalling after the United Nations Security Council passed a watered-down resolution calling for the speedy delivery of humanitarian aid for hungry and desperate Palestinians and the release of all the hostages.
US President Joe Biden confirmed he did not request a ceasefire during a private call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday.
Mr Netanyahuâs office said he thanked the US for its stance at the UN Security Council and that he âmade clear that Israel will pursue the war until all of its objectives are fully metâ.
The White House said Mr Biden urged Israel to protect civilian lives in Gaza and secure the release of hostages, Reuters reported.
He told reporters it was a âprivate conversationâ but added: âI did not ask for a ceasefire.â
152 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the start of the ground offensive.
The growing number of dead soldiers could undermine support for the offensive within Israel as soldiersâ deaths are a sensitive and emotional topic due to compulsory military service for most Jews.
There has been widespread anger against Mr Netanyahuâs government for failing to protect civilians on 7 October, when Hamas-led militants stormed communities in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages.
He has also been criticised within Israel for promoting policies that allowed Hamas to gain strength over the years.
On Saturday night, thousands of people demonstrated in pouring rain in Tel Aviv, chanting âBibi, Bibi, we donât want you any moreâ, referring to Mr Netanyahu by his nickname.
The Israeli government has been criticised across the world for failing to protect civilian lives in Gaza.
The UN high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grandi, has said a âhumanitarian ceasefireâ is the only way to ensure aid reaches civilians in Gaza, hostages to be released and to stop the âdevastating loss of livesâ.
Many civilians fled from Gaza City and other northern regions following Israelâs orders, only to be caught up in the war for a second time in the south â previously thought to be a safer zone.
Even Israelâs close allies such as the UK and Germany have called for a ceasefire as civilian deaths topped 20,000.
More than two-thirds of those killed have been women and children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesperson Jonathan Conricus has suggested that forces have almost gained control of north Gaza, AFP has reported.
âWe focus our efforts against Hamas in southern Gaza,â he said, signalling a turning point in the war after intensive fighting around Gaza City in the north.
- With additional reporting from agencies