Hamas says Israel is peddling illusionary advances in Gaza as part of psychological war

By Abdelsalam Fayez

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - The Palestinian resistance group Hamas said Monday that Israel is trying to market illusionary advances in Gaza as part of a psychological warfare campaign.

"The (Israeli) occupation tries to market illusionary advances in Gaza as part of its psychological war on the residents of Gaza," Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, said in a statement.

He said the Palestinian resistance in Gaza is steadfast and is controlling the battle and carrying out quality operations against Israeli tanks and military vehicles.

"The presence of the occupation tanks in certain places doesn't mean its control over the area," Barhoum added.

Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in previous statements that the Israeli army is advancing in Gaza from different areas.

As the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip entered its 38th day, at least 11,180 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,700 children and women, and more than 28,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures by Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings including hospitals, mosques and churches have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave since last month.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar