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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) is facing fierce resistance from Palestinian armed factions while advancing in the Gaza Strip.
The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas Movement, and the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, both released videos on December 8 showing their fighters clashing with Israeli troops in Gaza City and targeting several main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers and bulldozers.
The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said that its fighters destroyed or damaged 21 vehicles of the IDF and targeted several gatherings of Israeli troops in different parts of Gaza over the past 24 hours. Al-Quds Brigades said that 12 other vehicles were targeted by its fighters during the same period.
The IDF admitted that two of its soldiers were killed in Gaza on December 8, which brought the death toll of Israeli troops during ground operations in the Strip to 93. Hundreds others were reportedly wounded.
The first phase of Israeli ground operations, which began on October 27, isolated the northern part of Gaza from the rest of the Strip. IDF troops occupied much of Gaza City, including the beach front, and established a presence in the city of Beit Lahia.
Israel expanded ground operations to include Khan Yunis after the week-long ceasefire in Gaza ended on December 1. The IDF reported an advance in the city more than once in recent days. However, it is still unclear how much of the city has been occupied by its troops.
While the IDF claims that the capabilities of armed factions in Gaza were weakened, its troops continue to face well-organized resistance and they are advancing slower than before.
