{"id":15451,"date":"2023-12-14T01:18:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-13T19:48:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/israel-hamas-war-continues-on-deadly-day-for-israel-but-determination-remains\/"},"modified":"2023-12-14T01:18:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-13T19:48:06","slug":"israel-hamas-war-continues-on-deadly-day-for-israel-but-determination-remains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/farratanews.online\/israel-hamas-war-continues-on-deadly-day-for-israel-but-determination-remains\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel-Hamas war continues on deadly day for Israel but \u2018determination remains\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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ZIKIM BASE, Israel-Gaza border:\u00a0It was one of the deadliest clashes of Israel\u2019s ground war in Gaza against Hamas.\u00a0Nine soldiers killed, some top officers, along with several injured.\u00a0It happened when Hamas terrorists ambushed\u00a0troops Tuesday on a mission in the Shejaiya section of Gaza City.\u00a0On the same day, another soldier was killed farther north.<\/p>\n

Fox News spent time that day, just a few miles away, at the Zikim base on the northern Gaza border, a dusty place with sand dunes around and the Mediterranean Sea nearby.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

We watched for several hours as troops steadily streamed toward and away from the battle. They rode in pumped-up, open-top Humvees that sometimes made them look more like extras in a “Mad Max” movie.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The ones going in also rode side-by-side in troop carrier trucks.\u00a0They seemed more tentative.\u00a0The ones on the way out looked relieved that they were getting a break from some of the worst urban combat in decades. Some gave us the thumbs up.\u00a0\u00a0Many looked pretty young.\u00a0Enlisted and reserve soldiers in the mix.<\/p>\n

AMBUSH ATTACK KILLS SEVERAL ISRAELI SOLDIERS IN GAZA CITY: IDF<\/strong><\/p>\n

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An IDF vehicle seen on the ground in Zikim, Israel.<\/span> (FNC IDF\u00a0)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

We asked Major “Isaac” (the IDF asked that we use just his first name), a veteran on and off for much of the eight-week ground war, how the fight was.<\/p>\n

“I need to pick a word,” he replied.\u00a0 And then said, “Tough.” Responding further, \u00a0“\u2026yeh, definitely.”<\/p>\n

Major “Isaac”\u00a0noted Hamas was\u00a0“hiding\u2026 some of the time.”\u00a0And added about the heavily-armed terrorists, “They are prepared.”<\/p>\n

He and other soldiers didn\u2019t have to look far for reasons why they were in the fight.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Starting on Oct. 7,\u00a0the Zikim base was attacked by dozens of Hamas fighters, arriving there by land and by sea. More veteran soldiers had to take over for the young recruits and fend them off.\u00a0Bullet holes and rocket impacts could still be seen on the walls of the base\u2019s shelters, the pavement and watch tower.<\/p>\n

In the end, they won out, killing all 50 terrorists who targeted this prime location in wave after wave.\u00a0But seven soldiers would be killed as well.\u00a0These kinds of attacks were repeated at other bases, kibbutzes and towns. Which would lead to the massive Israeli air war, and now the ground action.<\/p>\n

ISRAEL BEGINS PUMPING SEAWATER INTO HAMAS’ GAZA TUNNEL NETWORK: REPORT<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The weapons depot in Gaza contained hundreds of RPG missiles, amongst other weapons, the IDF says.<\/span> (IDF)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

We asked Major “Isaac” about the concerns regarding the huge destruction and loss of life for the residents of Gaza caused by Israel’s air and ground offensive.\u00a0He noted tersely, “No one wants to hurt civilians.”<\/p>\n

We also spoke with another soldier, Major “Omri.” He seemed a bit more bullish about his side\u2019s contact with the Hamas foe. “They\u2019re tired,” he told us. “We\u2019ll shoot them,” he added, “we\u2019ll find them, even in the tunnels.”<\/p>\n

Asked to sum up the future prospects for the IDF in this fight, he came back with a reply that sounded a bit “boilerplate,” but still calmly confident:<\/p>\n

“The IDF is more than willing to continue to do whatever it takes to fulfill operational goals,” he said.<\/p>\n

UN OVERWHELMINGLY VOTES FOR HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE IN GAZA, REJECTS US, AUSTRIA AMENDMENTS CONDEMNING HAMAS<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Israeli soldiers operate inside the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on November 7, 2023. Israeli Defense Forces\/Handout via REUTERS<\/span> (Israeli Defense Forces\/Handout via REUTERS)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

One of the biggest takeaways from our couple-hour visit to Zikim: What a huge operation this war is, with so many moving parts.\u00a0That base is just one of many entry points for thousands and thousands of soldiers pouring into the battle.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Also, the impression that this war is taking its toll on all involved.\u00a0The death and destruction for the residents of Gaza caught in the crossfire.\u00a0The hostages who remain stranded just a few miles from the base.\u00a0As well as the strain from the combat in which these soldiers are participating.\u00a0Still, their determination remains.<\/p>\n

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP<\/strong><\/p>\n

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IDF soldier in Gaza<\/span> (FNC IDF)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Fox News’s Emily Robertson contributed to this article.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Greg Palkot currently serves as a London-based senior foreign affairs correspondent for Fox News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in 1998 as a correspondent. Follow him on Twitter@GregPalkot<\/a>.<\/i> \n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n