Israel has concentrated significant forces near the border with the Gaza Strip. On Friday, the army announced an “intensification of operations” by air and ground forces.
Israeli military spokesman Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that the air force carried out large-scale attacks on the tunnel network and other infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. Hagari announced the actions of ground troops this night.
Telecom providers in the Gaza Strip said on Friday evening that mobile phones and internet had stopped working due to heavy bombardments. In a statement, the Palestinian Red Crescent said it had lost contact with its operations center in Gaza and all its teams operating in the area.
Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi says this is the beginning of Israel’s land invasion.
Will Israel decide to land invasion?
On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that ground forces are preparing to invade the Gaza Strip. However, on Friday afternoon, journalists from The New York Times, citing conversations with officials, military and foreign diplomats, reported that there is currently no unanimous position on entering the Gaza Strip.
The invasion plan must be ready, but Prime Minister Netanyahu has not yet decided to approve it. According to some decision makers, the postponement of the operation is intended to give negotiators more time to reach an agreement with Hamas on the release of the hostages, a small portion of which have already been freed.
In his speech after the Hamas attack, Netanyahu announced the continuation of the war and the destruction of this organization. Washington has expressed its full support for Israel, but it is no secret that Washington will be reluctant if Israel invades Gaza.
A few days ago, Joe Biden met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv. The US president announced an “unprecedented aid package”, but at the same time warned Israel against “an excessive and hasty response to the attacks”.
Last Friday, reporters asked Biden whether Israel should at least delay a possible ground invasion of Gaza until more hostages are released. The US president replied “yes”.
Bombing the Gaza Strip
Tel Aviv announced the destruction of Hamas after the terrorists attacked a number of Israeli settlements on October 7. They killed about 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took hostages. The Qassam Brigades (the armed branch of Hamas) simultaneously fired rockets into Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces have been carrying out unprecedented shelling on the Gaza Strip for almost three weeks. The local Ministry of Health reported on Thursday that the number of deaths exceeded 6,500 (including more than 2,700 children) and 17,000 injured. Israel’s actions were condemned by the WHO – World Health Organization. The UN also pointed out that Israel’s actions “contrary the laws of war and the fundamental principles of humanity.”
Hamas and many Arab states are calling on the world to “act immediately” to stop Israeli bombings.
Source: Do Rzeczy
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
