Hamas hoards fuel in Gaza to operate tunnel system

 The Telegraph:

Hamas is hoarding fuel it needs to ventilate its network of tunnels deep under Gaza as supplies dwindle in the enclave, Israel has claimed.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) published aerial imagery of what it said was 500,000 litres of fuel in storage tanks, as the United Nations warned on Wednesday that it will be forced to halt its aid operation in the territory because of shortages.

“These are fuel tanks inside Gaza,” the IDF said. “They contain more than 500,000 litres of fuel.”

“Hamas-ISIS steals this fuel from civilians and transfers it to its tunnels, rocket launchers, and leaders. This is what Hamas’ list of priorities looks like,” Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic spokesman, added.

Israel has enforced a blockade on fuel shipments into Gaza since Hamas’s October 7 massacre of more than 1,400 civilians.

Herzi Halevi, the Israeli army’s chief of staff, has warned that the deliveries will not resume as long as fuel from outside of Gaza “enables Hamas to continue its attacks on Israeli citizens”.

Israeli security sources have said the Islamist terrorists could soon run out of fuel to ventilate and power their labyrinth of protective tunnels beneath Gaza.

Hamas’s leaders and commanders will be forced to the surface when their supply runs dry, a source told Walla, an Israeli news site.

“What interests the Hamas leadership is the fuel, not food and water. Why? Because most of its leadership and fighters are in tunnels deep underground,” the source said.

“They need power to circulate air, operate the communication systems, and activate the rocket launchers.”

Israel has dismissed concerns from aid groups and international leaders to maintain the blockade on fuel into Gaza.

The UN and EU has urged the Israeli government to allow fuel deliveries amid mounting fears over Palestinians’ supplies of electricity and fresh water.
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This looks like part of a siege operation in preparation for the Israeli offensive into Gaza. Once they can no longer operate the Hamas tunnel system, I think a ground offensive will begin.  Unlike traditional sieges apparently, some supplies are being allowed in.  I suspect that Hamas officials are hoarding that as best they can.

See, also:

UN says fuel shortages will halt Gaza aid operations within a day

While there have been pictures of destroyed buildings in Gaza the number damaged is not clear.  

The Independent reports: IDF tanks enter Gaza ahead of ground invasion.  I suspect this is just a raid to prepare for the coming offensive.  The tanks apparently attacked positions used to fire anti-tank missiles and also some Hamas facilities.

See, also:

Israeli naval forces thwart Hamas' attempted invasion by sea, IDF video shows

Israeli fighter jets and navy soldiers thwarted Hamas terrorists that were attempting to infiltrate Israel by sea on Tuesday, according to footage released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) early Wednesday.

The video shows at least two individuals swimming from the Gaza Strip toward Israeli territory near Zikim, the IDF said.

"The terrorists exited through a tunnel shaft located on the coast of the Gaza Strip and were struck by IDF fighter jets and Naval soldiers," the IDF said. "In addition, IDF fighter jets and Naval soldiers struck a weapons storage facility that was used by the terrorists."
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And:

 The videotaped confessions of Hamas militants who kidnapped and killed civilians

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The interviews, each filmed individually and compiled into a grim, 12-minute clip reel, were released by Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service. They were part of a range of materials released by Israeli officials this week that appeared to be designed to remind the world of the savagery of the terrorist attacks.

One of their other apparent goals, according to experts, was to show the cruelty and cynicism of Hamas leaders and to rebut the group’s claim that it does not intentionally target civilians. The release of the confessions also appeared to be an effort to show Palestinians that Hamas commanders had manipulated their members and then abandoned them.

One of the militants interviewed in the videos said that Hamas leaders promised him a cash bounty for every hostage he brought back to Gaza. “Whoever kidnaps a hostage and brings them to Gaza gets a stipend … an apartment and $10,000,” said the man, who added that Hamas promised to pay him in U.S. currency.
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And:

 How the Hamas Attack Took Israel by Surprise

Not just Israel’s 9/11 -- also its Tet Offensive.

And:

 Qatar: Master Double-Dealer

 The hundreds of millions of dollars the Qataris have given Hamas during the past decade have been instrumental in helping the terrorist group to develop the infrastructure that enabled it to carry out its murderous assault on Israel in the first place.

Qatar would like the world to believe that it is acting as an honest broker with its efforts to secure the release of the Gaza captives. But the reality is that it deserves to be condemned by the West as a state that sponsors global terrorism, so long as it maintains its indefensible support for Hamas.

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