The conflict between Israel and Hamas took dramatic turn after Israel’s top military commander, Col. Jonathan Steinberg, Israel’s Nahal Infantry Brigade’s commanding officer, was killed on Saturday in a gunfire exchange with Hamas, close to the Gaza Strip’s border.
As of Saturday night, he was the most senior official whose death had been officially confirmed during the fighting. He was also one of the most senior officials to have recently lost their lives in battle.
Steinberg was leading a ground operation in northern Gaza when his convoy was ambushed by Hamas fighters, who reportedly used tunnels and booby traps to launch the surprise attack. Steinberg and several of his bodyguards were fatally wounded in the ensuing firefight, while others were captured by Hamas.
Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza, claimed responsibility for the attack and hailed it as a “historic victory” over Israel. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said that Steinberg’s death was a “divine reward” for the Palestinian resistance and a “severe blow” to the Israeli occupation.
He also warned that Hamas has more surprises for Israel and that the rocket attacks on Israeli cities would continue until Israel lifted its blockade on Gaza and ended its aggression.
Israel, meanwhile, expressed shock and grief over the loss of its senior military official. Arabic media reports that 52 Israelis are in Hamas’s custody and some of the hostages seem to have been executed.
Hamas achieved major success by sending massive rockets in Israel’s south, which made the conflict worse.
The attack rendered Israel off guard and overwhelmed its Iron Dome air defense system, which failed to intercept many of the rockets. Hundreds of Israelis have been killed or injured by the rocket fire, while thousands have fled their homes or sought shelter in bunkers.
Israel, in retaliation, responded with massive airstrikes and artillery shelling on Gaza, targeting Hamas’ military bases, command centers, weapons depots, and tunnels. Israel has also sent ground troops into Gaza to engage Hamas fighters in close combat and destroy their underground network.
More than 500 Palestinians have been killed or wounded by the Israeli strikes, while many more have been displaced or trapped by the rubble.
The health ministry run by Hamas in Gaza said that 232 Palestinians were killed and 1,697 wounded by Saturday. The IDF also said it killed hundreds of Palestinian militants in strikes inside Gaza and Israel.
The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both sides to show restraint and respect international humanitarian law. However, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown any sign of backing down or accepting mediation efforts. The UN Security Council is held an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss the crisis and explore ways to end the bloodshed.
