Israel carried out “targeted operations” with tanks in the north of the Gaza Strip last night. The army communicates this. The action appears to be the harbinger of a ground offensive in the Palestinian enclave.
Black-and-white footage released by the Israeli army shows armored vehicles and bulldozers breaking through a fence and entering the area. According to an army spokesman, “preparations for the next phases of the battle” were being made. Numerous terrorists were also located and attacked. Infrastructure and launch platforms for anti-tank missiles were destroyed. The soldiers then left the zone, it is said.
There has been speculation about an Israeli ground offensive for some time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed yesterday that preparations for such an operation are in full swing. “When, how, how much, the considerations we take into account… I cannot go into detail about that,” he said.
“Mistake”
A possible ground offensive in the Gaza Strip is causing concern among a large part of the international community. French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday declared after a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sissi that a large-scale ground operation would be a “mistake” because it would endanger the lives of the civilian population. Al-Sissi also spoke out against a ground offensive.
The United States has emphasized Israel’s “right” to defend itself. But President Joe Biden said Israel must do everything “to protect innocent civilians.”
Also read: Sama, Yael, Awni, Tamer, Amal, Luna, Misq, Emilia, Iyad, Emily: these 10 Palestinian and Israeli children were victims of the ongoing violence (+)
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