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Battle of Beit Hanoun

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Battle of Beit Hanoun
Part of the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip
October 2023 Gaza−Israel conflict.svg

  Gaza Strip under Palestinian control
  Claimed extent of Israeli invasion of Gaza
  Evacuated areas inside Israel
Date27 October – 24 December 2023
(1 month, 3 weeks and 6 days)
Location
Result

Inconclusive

  • Israel claims victory and the destruction of the Beit Hanoun Battalion on December 18th, however fighting continued for several days afterwards[1][2]
  • Israel withdraws from Beit Hanoun on December 24th
  • Complete destruction of Beit Hanoun
Belligerents
 Israel

 Hamas

 Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Commanders and leaders
Israel Moran Omer [he]
Israel Salman Habaka[3]  
Hamas Abu Hamza Fayyad
Hamas Abd Allah Bin Mohammed Zaher
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Fahad Al-Shammari[4]
Units involved

 Israel Defense Forces

 al-Qassam Brigades

 Saraya Al-Quds[7]
Casualties and losses
20+ soldiers killed
4 Merkava tanks destroyed (Hamas claim)
1 Namer APC destroyed
Unknown

The Battle of Beit Hanoun is a battle that began on 27 October 2023 in the midst of the 2023 Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.[8][9] On 18 December 2023, it was reported that Israeli forces had full control over Beit Hanoun and had destroyed Hamas’ Beit Hanoun Battalion.[1][2]

Battle

On 27 October, Hamas stated that its military wing was confronting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, with "violent engagements" taking place.[10] Pro-Palestinian sources stated that the IDF had carried out "a very limited incursion" into the outskirts of Beit Hanoun overnight. On the same day, Hamas said that they had "foiled an Israeli ground incursion into Beit Hanoun."[11]

On 31 October, Israeli forces claimed to have advanced into the outskirts of Beit Hanoun to conduct clearing operations, in an attempt to besiege Gaza City.[12]

On 1 November, Hamas said it had destroyed several Israeli tanks and armored vehicles, including at least four Israeli Merkava tanks using Yasin 105 anti-tank rocket propelled grenades in Beit Hanoun.[13] The Al-Qassam Brigades also claimed to have bombed a gathering of IDF soldiers near Beit Hanoun using a quadcopter drone.[14] On the following day, pro-Palestinian sources reported that Israeli forces were advancing from the east and south as part of an effort to encircle and advance into Beit Hanoun.[15]

On 4 November, the IDF continued its advance in Beit Hanoun. Clashes took place on al-Karameh street, the main north–south street in the city. The al-Qassam Brigades published footage of its militants maneuvering through tunnel systems in Beit Hanoun and attacking Israeli forces with various weapons.[16]

On 11 November, the IDF announced that four Israeli soldiers were killed in a booby-trapped tunnel in Beit Hanoun, while another was killed in battles in the north.[17] The IDF claimed to have advanced beyond the city on or prior to 12 November, and it released a video showing the IDF Harel Brigade operating south of Beit Hanoun. Hamas fighters are continuing to attack the IDF in Beit Hanoun beyond the IDF's forward line of advance. The Al-Qassam Brigades said that it detonated an anti-personnel improvised explosive device (IED) targeting IDF forces sheltering in a house in Beit Hanoun.[9]

On 9 November, the destruction had become so extensive and severe that Beit Hanoun was described as “not only dead, but no longer existing”.[18]

On 15 November, Hamas announced that it destroyed four Israeli vehicles with Yasin 105 rocket propelled grenades in Beit Hanoun.[19]

On 18 December 2023, it was reported that Israeli forces had full control over Beit Hanoun and had destroyed Hamas’ Beit Hanoun Battalion.[1][2]

By 20 December Israel has shifted to holding operations within the area while Hamas continued to launch attacks at Israeli forces with small arms including drive-by attack.[20]

On December 24, Israeli forces withdrew from Beit Hanoun amidst heavy fighting with Palestinian militant groups. Returning civilians to the ruins of the town reported that no vehicles were in sights. Israeli forces continue to shell the city.[21][22]

Former residents of Beit Hanoun returned to the remains of the town after Israeli forces had withdrawn from it. The destruction had encompassed the entire city, and residents said that “all structures were destroyed”, and described most of Beit Hanoun as being “razed to the ground”.[23]

On 26 December Hamas continued attacks on Israeli forces carrying out holding operations with improvised explosive device. [24]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Jhaveri, Ashka; Soltani, Amin; Parry, Andie; Braverman, Alexandra; Ganzeveld, Annika; Tyson, Kathryn; Mills, Peter (18 December 2023). "Iran Update, December 18, 2023". Critical Threats. Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Fabian, Emanuel (18 December 2023). "IDF signals full control over Beit Hanoun in north Gaza". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Salman Habaka=". IDF. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  4. ^ "فلسطين: اشتباكات مسلحة بين المقاومة وجيش الاحتلال في بيت حانون شمال قطاع غزة". Alahednews. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  5. ^ "252nd Division conquers Beit Hanoun in Gaza". Israel National News. 18 December 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  6. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (8 November 2023). "IDF says its entire 252nd Reserve Division is operating inside Gaza". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Iran Update, November 4, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. 4 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Israel-Hamas war in maps: Israeli forces advance in to Beit Hanoun". euronews. 1 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  9. ^ a b Carter, Brian; Moore, Johanna; Soltani, Amin; Carl, Nicholas (12 November 2023). "Iran Update, November 12, 2023". Critical Threats. Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  10. ^ "Israel and Hamas at war: what we know on day 22". The Guardian. 27 October 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  11. ^ Najjar, Joseph Stepansky,Farah. "Israel-Hamas war updates: Israeli ground forces expanding Gaza operations". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Israel-Hamas war in maps: Israeli forces advance in to Beit Hanoun". euronews. 1 November 2023. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  13. ^ Psaropoulos, John. "'Extremely challenging': Israel's Gaza ground assault faces stumbles". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  14. ^ "Iran Update, November 1, 2023". Critical Threats. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Iran Update, November 2, 2023". Critical Threats. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  16. ^ "IRAN UPDATE, NOVEMBER 5, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 14 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Five Israeli soldiers killed in battles in Gaza: Military". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Inside Gaza with the Israeli army as it hunts for Hamas tunnels". Le Monde. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  19. ^ "4 Israeli vehicles 'infiltrating' northern Gaza destroyed, says Hamas". Zaman Al Wsl. 15 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Institute for the study of war - Iran update December 20". ISW. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  21. ^ "صحفيون في شمال قطاع غزة: جيش الاحتلال انسحب من بيت حانون". royanews.
  22. ^ "اللواء الدويري: إسرائيل مضطربة وجحر الديك صورة لما تواجهه قواتها بغزة". Aljazeera.
  23. ^ "دمار شامل وصادم يضرب مدينة بيت حانون ومرافقها الرئيسية =Al Jazeera".
  24. ^ "IRAN UPDATE, DECEMBER 26, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 28 December 2023.