Israeli Military Preparing Ground Assault on Gaza Strip Amid Escalating Conflict
As tensions continue to rise between Israel and Hamas, the Israeli military is reportedly preparing for a ground assault on the Gaza Strip. This comes as aerial bombardment of the Palestinian territory intensifies, fueling concerns that the conflict may lead to a humanitarian crisis or even a regional war.
Last week, Hamas launched a series of attacks on southern Israel, prompting Israeli officials to express their desire to permanently eradicate the militant group. The attacks are believed to have resulted in the deaths of around 1,300 Israelis, including many civilians. In response, Israel has been amassing troops and tanks near Gaza and has instructed Palestinians in the northern section of the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, to relocate to the south immediately. The Gaza Strip is home to approximately 2.3 million people, with Gaza City being the most populous municipality in the enclave.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated in a broadcast on Saturday night that a broad attack on Gaza City is imminent. However, the exact timing of the assault remains unclear. Localized raids into Gaza have already commenced, indicating a major escalation in the conflict. A full-scale ground invasion would have devastating consequences for the civilian population in Gaza. As the blockade enforced by Israel tightens, residents have witnessed disruptions in essential services such as water and power. Israeli airstrikes have demolished high-rise buildings, entire neighborhoods, and are estimated to have killed 2,200 people.
The mounting violence has raised concerns about an escalating civilian death toll. President Joe Biden reportedly spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing unwavering support for Israel while urging him to ensure that civilians in Gaza have access to food, water, and medical care. President Biden also discussed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the need for establishing humanitarian corridors to provide aid to the people of Gaza.
The response to Israel’s call for Palestinians to move south has been unclear. While some residents have been observed fleeing Gaza City, Hamas is urging Palestinians to stay put, as many fear permanent displacement if they leave their homes. There is also growing pressure on Egypt to allow Palestinians to seek refuge there. Egypt controls Gaza’s southern border, but its president has stated that he will not permit civilians to enter Sinai.
Efforts are underway by the U.S. State Department to work with Egypt in evacuating Palestinian-Americans residing in Gaza who wish to leave.
The Russian representatives at the United Nations Security Council have called for a vote on a resolution for a ceasefire, scheduled for Monday. However, given the support Israel has received from most Western nations regarding its retaliation against Hamas, the implementation of a ceasefire appears unlikely.
While the focus has primarily been on Gaza, there are indications of violence spreading to the West Bank. Clashes between Israeli police, Jewish settlers, and Palestinians have reportedly resulted in the deaths of 55 Palestinians over the past week. Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has expedited the distribution of weapons to Jewish settlers and called for the formation of citizen militias to counter a potential mass Palestinian uprising.
To complicate matters further, Lebanese Hezbollah has taken advantage of the conflict by shelling Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) posts in disputed territory. Iranian officials have also issued veiled threats, implying that they will use Hezbollah, which Iran supports financially, militarily, and logistically, to attack Israel if the IDF does not cease its airstrikes on Gaza. In response, Netanyahu’s government has warned of the destruction of Lebanon should Hezbollah open a second front in the war.
Israel has previously invaded Gaza, notably during Operation Cast Lead in 2008 in response to Hamas rocket attacks. However, this time, Israel is responding to an unprecedented assault. The pressure to neutralize the masterminds behind the October 7 attacks is immense, as is the determination to permanently incapacitate Hamas and prevent similar attacks in the future. It remains unclear how Israel plans to dismantle Hamas as a political and military force, given its presence beyond Gaza. Hamas operates in the West Bank, although Fatah, its nationalist rival, holds power there, and much of its political leadership is based in Qatar.
