Israeli troops are seen in Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
JERUSALEM, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel has killed about 900 militants in Rafah since the beginning of Israel's ground assault on the southernmost city in Gaza in early May, Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday.
The casualties include "at least one battalion commander, many company commanders, and many operatives," Halevi said when inspecting a military logistic post in the southern Gaza Strip, according to a statement released by the Israel Defense Forces.
Halevi said that the offensive in Rafah is expected to be completed within weeks.
"Now the effort focuses on the destruction of the infrastructure and the destruction of the underground infrastructure, and it takes time," he said, noting, "This campaign is long because we don't want to leave Rafah with the infrastructure intact."
Before the launch of the ground offensive, Rafah was one of the few locations where civilians sought refuge from the massive Israeli bombardments across the Palestinian enclave. ■
Israeli troops are seen near the border with Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
An Israeli armored vehicle is seen near the border with Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Israeli troops are seen near the border with Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
An Israeli tank is seen near the border with Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
An Israeli tank is seen near the border with Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
An Israeli tank is seen near the border with Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Israeli troops are seen in Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, on July 2, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
