Israel Tells Gazans to Evacuate More Territory, as Offensive Grinds On

The Israeli military has asked residents in the central Gaza Strip to move south immediately, as their troops advance through the enclave. Despite expectations of an imminent victory over Hamas, progress is slow and some analysts question the rhetoric of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel’s goal is to bring down Hamas’s rule in Gaza, destroy its military capabilities, and recover hostages. However, Hamas leaders remain at large and armed groups continue to fire rockets into Israel. Experts predict a prolonged fight in Gaza. Israel’s defense minister calls for patience as the campaign continues. The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 20,000.