Israel is moving to a tougher phase of the war in Gaza, but there are a number of complications - WSJ

The Israeli military is preparing to launch a fiercer and more complex phase of the war in the southern Gaza Strip. Israel's plan is likely to resemble the offensive in the north of the enclave, but will be complicated by the large number of civilians in the area.

The Wall Street Journal wrote that the IDF is "preparing to launch a hunt for Hamas militants" in the densely populated south of the Gaza Strip. The goal of the Israeli Defense Forces is to destroy terrorists and return hostages.

The WSJ, citing senior Israeli officers and analysts, said that the IDF had largely succeeded in taking control of the northern part of the enclave, but that Hamas's military capabilities had been only partially destroyed, and many of the militant leaders had not yet been neutralized.

Many of them have fled to the south, where they have taken refuge in densely populated cities or underground tunnels. The Israeli military will have to move the fighting there, experts say.

Hamas leaders will use hostages as a bargaining chip. They also want to stop the fighting, at least temporarily, the article says.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported:

- As of November 19, at least 48 journalists and media workers were killed during the war between Israel and Hamas militants, including 43 Palestinians, four Israelis and one Lebanese. Another nine media workers were injured, three are missing, and 13 have been arrested.

- The National Security Committee of the Knesset is planning to submit a bill that provides for the death pen alty for those who have committed terrorist acts.

- On November 18, the Israeli Defense Forces announced that it was expanding operations in the Gaza Strip to drive the Hamas terrorist group out of the area.

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