Israel-Hamas conflict toll sparks calls for investigation
The Israeli army has reportedly killed nearly 20,000 fighters from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, according to General Herzi Halevi, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces.
For over 15 months of conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli army has killed nearly 20,000 fighters from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad - relayed General Herzi Halevi, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces, on Tuesday. He also added that in Lebanon, the military killed about 4,000 members of Hezbollah.
General Halevi also reported that nearly 800 terrorists were eliminated in the West Bank.
General Halevi highlighted the recent successes of the Israeli army, including significantly weakening Hamas and Hezbollah. He noted that after 7th October, the Israeli army found itself in a difficult situation but conducted an intensive campaign "on seven fronts", which altered the situation in the Middle East.
The general resigned
During his speech, he announced that he will resign from his position on 6th March, fulfilling an earlier promise "to take responsibility for the military's failures during the 7th October attack."
General Halevi called for an investigation to examine all aspects of the state's actions before and during this largest terrorist attack in Israel's history.
After 7th October, the Israeli military and government agencies were widely criticised for their uncoordinated and often delayed response to the invasion.
Opposition groups, as well as families of the victims and Hamas hostages, are demanding the establishment of an independent state investigation commission. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not agree to its formation.
Hamas claims Israeli data is exaggerated
According to the Gaza Strip's health ministry, controlled by Hamas, over 47,000 residents of this territory died during the war, most of whom were women, children, and the elderly.
This data is considered credible, although it does not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties. Hamas does not provide the number of its losses but claims that the Israeli military's data is exaggerated.
The Gazan civil defence estimates that the bodies of over 10,000 people still lie under the rubble, and their extraction may take more than 100 days, reported BBC television. Over 400 Israeli soldiers also died during the 15 months of fighting in the Gaza Strip.
On 7th October, Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organisations attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and abducting 251. This attack started the war in the Gaza Strip, which is currently suspended.
