Israeli Defence Forces have released footage depicting a dramatic battle between soldiers and Hamas gunmen within a school complex in Gaza. The video reveals soldiers engaging in gunfire in a dark corridor filled with debris, before uncovering an entrance to an underground tunnel connected to a nearby mosque. The IDF claims that the footage was captured in Shejaiya in northern Gaza and shows soldiers from two units being targeted by a Hamas terror cell.

The release of the video comes after the United States vetoed a UN motion for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. While 13 nations voted in favor, the US veto and the UK's decision to abstain have led Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to accuse them of being complicit in war crimes.

According to the Hamas-led Palestinian health authority, as of now, a total of 17,487 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7. They allege that this surge in casualties began when Hamas terrorists breached the Israeli border and killed approximately 1,200 people.

The footage reveals Israeli soldiers bravely navigating the school complex, firing into the dark corridors while encountering debris and bullet holes. The IDF claims that Hamas fighters attempted to lure the soldiers into an ambush using gunfire and explosives, but their efforts were ultimately thwarted.

Another video showcases the devastation in the neighborhood and a dark tunnel leading underground. The IDF identifies this tunnel as a shaft found inside one of the school's classrooms, which connected to the nearby mosque. The IDF spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, commented on the video's release, stating that it documents the activities of the 188th Brigade's combat team and their encounters with a Hamas school complex.

Israel asserts that all gunmen in the area were eliminated, and a significant cache of weapons, grenades, and ammunition was discovered. Additionally, Israel claims that the tunnel shaft is part of an extensive underground network in Shujaiya.

However, Israel is facing increasing pressure to ensure the safety of civilians in Gaza. The nation argues that Hamas is using civilians as human shields and operating out of civilian buildings. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Hamas still holds around 137 Israeli hostages. The IDF recently admitted that two of its soldiers were seriously wounded in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue hostages.

Aid agencies are warning of a worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza, with the majority of its 2.3 million people homeless and trapped in a small, embattled coastal enclave. The region is suffering from a severe shortage of food, water, medical care, fuel, and secure shelter. The UN has described Gaza's civilization as being at the brink of complete collapse, with no facilities able to cope with the escalating crisis.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has expressed opposition to a fresh truce, arguing that it would be seen as a victory for Hamas and disregard the hostages held in Gaza. He believes that it would send a signal to terror groups worldwide.