DRIVEN UNDER

Thousands of fighters trapped in tunnels after massive nightly bombardment,Aid agencies’ desperate plea for ceasefire as Palestinian death toll tops 10,000

TENS of thousands of Hamas fighters were trapped under the ruins of Gaza after a massive Israeli bombardment. 

Israel Defence Forces said the territory was now split in two, with no way out for militias, as Gaza City was surrounded yesterday.

Ahead of today’s one-month anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attack, Gaza’s Health Ministry said 10,022 Palestinians have died.

As the death toll rose, aid agencies appealed again for a ceasefire.

Israel said it struck 450 targets overnight, killing Hamas chiefs.

It claimed F16 fighters destroyed military compounds, and a haul of arms was seized in a Gaza home. Israel expects to take over Gaza within hours rather than days. But they will face up to 40,000 rebels prepared to fight to the death.

Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said it is targeting the tunnels, where 240 hostages may be held.

He added: “We are going stronghold after stronghold in a systematic effort to dismantle Hamas from its military capabilities.”