Protracted conflict exacerbating Israel’s challenges
By Syed Ali Hassan
Iran Daily’s correspondent in Pakistan
The Israeli military and government are under increasing internal pressure to swiftly achieve their self-imposed objective of eliminating Hamas. Despite sustaining significant losses on the battlefield, it remains uncertain whether the Israeli army has dealt a substantial blow to Hamas. As the conflict persists, Israel’s social and political issues are escalating.
Yedioth Ahronoth, in its December 9, 2023 publication, cited official sources stating that over 5,000 Israeli soldiers have been injured since the onset of the Gaza war. Of these, 2,000 are officially recognized as disabled by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Daily Yedioth Ahronoth reports approximately 60 new wounded soldiers registering daily in the Israeli army’s rehabilitation department. This figure only includes security forces and army reservists, excluding the regular army, suggesting a potentially higher number than indicated by the Israeli government.
The Israeli government has been reticent about the extent of military casualties during the Gaza offensive. Allegations of a crackdown by Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government against independent Israeli press reporting war facts have also emerged. State media asserts that only 425 soldiers have been killed, with the government aiming to conceal the actual toll to prevent public opposition to the war.
During a meeting with citizens affected by the war, Prime Minister Netanyahu faced adverse reactions from those demanding an immediate halt to the conflict, leading to the suspension of further meetings with war-affected individuals. Israel is not only contending with resistance in Gaza but also enduring severe attacks from Yemen and Hezbollah, resulting in significant financial losses and casualties.
On Friday, a US Defense official reported that Yemen attacked a Liberian-registered cargo ship owned by an Israeli citizen in the Red Sea, causing a fire on the ship’s deck. Yemen asserts that a drone successfully targeted a container ship destined for Israel, vowing to continue such actions until Israel ceases the alleged genocide in Gaza. The Yemeni army spokesperson identified the targeted ship as Maersk
Gibraltar.