The ongoing conflict in Gaza has revealed significant strains on the Israeli military's operational capabilities due to the prolonged duration of the hostilities.

A report indicated that the military is experiencing a crisis in the readiness of its combat resources, exacerbated by a depletion of combat equipment such as tanks, artillery, and armored personnel carriers.

Recent complaints from soldiers, unit leaders, and brigade commanders underscore rising technical failures in key military assets, particularly among the tanks and Namer armored personnel carriers deployed in Gaza.

Soldiers from the seventh brigade have reported difficulties in obtaining spare parts for their tanks, with essential components notably missing from the technology and logistics department’s warehouses.

There is a significant shortage of tank engines, tracks, and propulsion systems.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed support for an armed group in Gaza that opposes Hamas, following remarks by former Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who stated that Israel had provided this group with weapons.

Netanyahu, in a video posted on social media, remarked on the strategic advantage of this move, claiming it benefits Israeli soldiers by potentially saving their lives.

Netanyahu also announced the deaths of four Israeli soldiers in Gaza, extending condolences to their families and revealing the names of two: Sergeant Yoav Rafer and Reserve Sergeant Chen Gross.

Meanwhile, health authorities in Gaza reported the deaths of 16 Palestinians due to Israeli military fire in the territory, highlighting recent airstrikes that targeted areas in Jabalia, Al-Tuffah, and Khan Younis.

Furthermore, a Palestinian child was killed by Israeli forces near Khan Younis in southern Gaza.

Witnesses and medics reported intensified Israeli air and ground assaults on Jabalia and the neighboring Beit Hanoun area early in the morning.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, Avichai Adraee, announced on X that the military has ordered residents in certain neighborhoods in northern Gaza to evacuate.

Additionally, five Palestinians were reported killed by Israeli fire at an American aid distribution center west of Rafah in southern Gaza.

Palestinian news outlets indicated that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds gathered to receive assistance in the designated distribution area, leading to numerous injuries among the civilians present.

In a related development, over 130 media organizations and journalist advocacy groups have called on Israel to allow unrestricted international press access to Gaza, following a blockade on foreign journalists since October 7, 2023, with a few exceptions.

The signatories of the letter, prepared by Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists based in New York, emphasized that foreign journalists have been barred from independently entering Gaza for 20 months, describing the situation as unprecedented in the context of contemporary armed conflicts.

On the humanitarian front, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation temporarily closed all its aid distribution centers in the territory, citing safety concerns.

In a statement released on its Facebook page, the organization urged residents to stay away from its facilities.

However, it later clarified that assistance had been delivered despite the announced closure of distribution sites until further notice.