CrossFireArabia
The Yedioth Ahronoth has reported the government of Benjamin Netanyahu has informed the Israeli Supreme Court that Hamas are still the rulers of Gaza and that the occupation army continues to face stiff resistance underground and above it.
The newspaper stated that the Netanyahu’s government was responding in Supreme Court sessions to examine a petition submitted by organizations concerned with the humanitarian situation and the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip.
In its response the government stated Israel does not maintain effective control over Gaza and the army’s presence in the Strip is limited in a way that does not allow for actual control and activation of the powers of government as reported in Al Jazeera.
The Israeli government stressed Hamas is still able to exercise its powers of government in the Strip, and the occupation army is still facing armed resistance in Gaza from what it described as enemies in the enclave, both in underground tunnels and open lands.
“In the framework of operational activity, IDF forces are still facing armed resistance…underground and above ground, by planting explosive devices, anti-tank fire and snipers, launching rockets and trying to lure our forces into booby-trapped houses, etc,” the government stated.
It pointed out Hamas “is returning and operating in areas from which the IDF withdrew and is trying to rebuild its strength there.”
Supreme Court justices have several sessions over the past months to study the petition submitted by Israeli organizations, and Yedioth Ahronoth explained the judges receive periodic updates on the situation in Gaza but have not yet decided on the fate of the petition.
