As Israel's military deployments near the border increased, there is speculation that they might be considering a ground assault on Gaza.
Four days into the conflict with Hamas, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a retaliatory action that he described as a "mighty revenge." He asserted that its impact would "reverberate for generations." While Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas-controlled Gaza, the most severe in the 75-year history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, persist, Tel Aviv has undertaken an unprecedented mobilization, summoning 300,000 reservists, hinting at the potential initiation of a ground offensive in response to the lethal Hamas attack.
The announcement of the activation of 300,000 reservists in just two days has fueled conjecture. Furthermore, Israel's implementation of a "total siege" on Gaza, encompassing a complete blockade on fuel, food, and electricity, coupled with advisories for residents to evacuate, has contributed to the speculation of an impending ground invasion into Gaza, a territory from which Israel disengaged nearly two decades ago.
This extensive mobilization effort was officially disclosed by Israel during a televised address by its defense forces. Responding to inquiries regarding the activation of the 300,000 reservists, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel's chief military spokesperson, remarked, "We have never summoned such a vast number of reservists on this scale. We are initiating offensive measures."
The last time Israel conducted a ground assault on Gaza was in 2014, a campaign that resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 Palestinians due to Israeli ground and air operations. During the seven-week conflict, at least 73 Israelis, including 67 soldiers, lost their lives.
The discussions about a potential ground invasion coincided with the enormous hostage crisis Israel is currently grappling with. Hamas has issued threats to execute one of the more than 100 hostages, should Israel's military engage in bombings targeting Gaza's civilians without prior warning. The group took numerous hostages following a violent incursion that commenced on Saturday.
Reportedly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed to US President Joe Biden his intent to initiate a ground invasion, expressing concerns over the possibility of substantial casualties.
The geography of the Gaza Strip presents a formidable challenge if Israel were to contemplate military incursions. With an area of 140 square miles accommodating over 2 million people, making it one of the most densely populated places globally, and characterized by a labyrinthine layout, the Israeli forces would face substantial difficulties in locating hostages. Despite its proximity to Tel Aviv, the territory remains enigmatic to Israeli intelligence agencies.
The situation is further compounded by the belief that Hamas employs an underground network of defensive tunnels, colloquially referred to as the Hamas "metro" system, to facilitate clandestine movement and transport of weaponry.
Since the onset of the crisis on Saturday night, Qatar's mediators have engaged in urgent negotiations, seeking the release of Israeli women and children held captive by Hamas in exchange for the liberation of 36 Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, according to a Reuters report. A source indicated that the ongoing negotiations, carried out in coordination with the United States, have been "progressing positively."
In the ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR, the Israeli air force has relentlessly targeted sites in Gaza since the surprise assault on Saturday, with its ground forces concurrently striving to regain control of border towns and villages that had been overrun by Palestinian gunmen.
Israeli television networks reported that Hamas fighters were responsible for the deaths of nearly 1,000 people, including 260 individuals at a desert music festival. Gaza's Health Ministry reported a Palestinian death toll of 687 as a result of retaliatory strikes.
However, Hamas has issued warnings that they would execute one of the hostages every time Israel's military launches attacks on civilian targets in Gaza without prior notification and has declared that they will not engage in hostage negotiations "under fire."
Officials have informed Reuters that the United States, which already allocates $3.8 billion annually in military aid to Israel, is providing additional security assistance. Nevertheless, a White House spokesperson clarified that the United States has no intention of deploying its troops on the ground but is committed to safeguarding US interests in the region.
The United States has also cautioned Iran, a supporter of Hamas, against becoming embroiled in the conflict.
President Biden disclosed on Wednesday that at least 11 US citizens have been confirmed dead in the surprise Hamas attacks. He also indicated that the US government believes it is "likely" that Americans are among those currently held hostage by Hamas militants, while additional US citizens remain unaccounted for following the devastating assault.
On Tuesday, the United Nations humanitarian office reported that nearly 200,000 people, approximately one-tenth of the population, have fled their homes in Gaza since the commencement of hostilities. The region is now facing impending shortages of water and electricity due to the blockade.
Jens Laerke, OCHA spokesperson, conveyed during a briefing in Geneva, "Displacement has escalated dramatically across the Gaza Strip, reaching more than 187,500 people since Saturday. Most are taking shelter in schools." He added that further displacement is anticipated as clashes persist.
A spokesperson for the World Health Organization reported 13 attacks on health facilities in the Gaza Strip since the weekend, highlighting the depletion of its medical supplies stored in the region.
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