Israel, which called up thousands of reserve soldiers, prepares for a ground operation in Gaza
It was claimed that Israel, which dropped bombs on Gaza after the bloody Hamas attack, was preparing for a tougher response to Palestinian groups and that the “ground operation” option was first.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed yesterday with the opposition to form an emergency government. Former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who are part of the new “war cabinet,” said in their address to the nation with Netanyahu that they would “give the necessary response to the enemy.”
360 THOUSAND RESERVE SOLDIERS WILL BE MOBILIZED
The Israeli press wrote that the war cabinet would tighten the blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and that a ground operation was expected. Many media outlets noted that the new government was preparing for a ground operation in Gaza by mobilizing 360,000 reserve troops, including Israelis abroad.
Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 and Hamas came to power in the region in 2007.
The loss of life in Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza is increasing rapidly.
While tens of thousands of Israelis and volunteers were expected to participate in the Gaza operation, many armored vehicles were deployed to the Gaza border. It was stated that some of the reserve soldiers will be sent to the West Bank and the Lebanese border in the north.
‘RISKY OPERATION FOR ISRAEL’
On the other hand, military experts say that time is needed for the training of reserve soldiers and the preparation of ammunition. Experts say a ground operation in Gaza is very risky, could lead to heavy Israeli losses and soldiers could be taken hostage, but Netanyahu’s government has no choice.
Israeli press noted that the ground operation will likely begin next week and that Israeli troops will enter Gaza from the east and north and lay siege to the region. The main objective of the Israeli army will be to destroy the underground tunnels used by Hamas and rescue Israeli hostages kidnapped by Palestinian groups.
On the other hand, the fact that an operation of this scale will further increase civilian deaths in Gaza will provoke international reactions. While the death toll in Gaza is approaching 1,200 due to airstrikes carried out by Israel since Saturday, electricity, water and fuel supplies to the region have also been cut.