From Gaza (AFP)
Middle East
For the fourth time in the last three weeks, the Israeli army has carried out a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army announced on Friday that it carried out a ground attack using infantry and armored forces overnight inside the Gaza Strip, the army’s official radio reported.
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It is also stated that forces entered Gaza and carried out activities there for several hours, attacking targets belonging to the Hamas movement.
Preparing for the invasion
While Al Arabiya/Al Hadath correspondent reported that the Israeli army is currently carrying out repeated incursions into Gaza, albeit in a limited manner, in preparation for the planned ground operation.
He had also previously made clear that any ground invasion would not be easy for Israeli forces who are not used to street warfare.
Israeli Merkava tank (AFP)
Also on Wednesday, Israeli forces entered the besieged northern Gaza Strip.
Interestingly, the Israeli government repeatedly confirmed that the decision for a ground invasion had been made, but did not specify any date.
Meanwhile, informed sources suggested that the most important issue that delayed this ground operation was the issue of prisoners, in addition to the American request to wait for the arrival of further military reinforcements in the region to protect American forces in the Middle East.
Especially after many American bases in Iraq and Syria were subjected to around 17 attacks or attempted attacks using guided missiles and drones.
While many analysts and military experts warned that the eventual entry into Gaza would not be an easy path, because the clashes would turn into street wars, it is known that the land owners have strengths, in addition to the dilemma of the tunnels called the “Gaza Metro”. Since the Hamas movement took control of the densely populated Gaza Strip in 2008, it has dug tunnels that extend many kilometers underground, resembling a city beneath the city.