MIDDLE EAST CRISIS
US urges Israel to delay southern Gaza push in hunt for Hamas leaders
Plea to protect civilians as IDF plans operation in south of strip
Israel has already been attacking cities in southern Gaza by air, such as this attack in Rafah on Monday
MOHAMMED SABER/EPA
The United States is lobbying Israel to delay a planned ground offensive into southern Gaza until more can be done to protect civilians amid mounting concern over the rising death toll in the battle for the north.
Israel believes that senior Hamas leaders, including its top two targets, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Deif, are sheltering in Hamas tunnels in the south of the strip, and has vowed to go after them.
Yahya Sinwar
MOHAMMED ABED/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Daniel Hagari, the Israeli army spokesman, confirmed the ground campaign in pursuit of eliminating Hamas would continue across Wadi Gaza, the riverbed that civilians have been ordered to cross to reach the south.
“We are determined to advance our operation,” Hagari said. “It will happen wherever Hamas exists, including in the south of the
