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Nearly a week after Hamas launched a shock attack on Israel, Gaza residents are braced for a ground offensive with Israel mobilising reservists and moving military equipment to the border with Gaza. But a potential ground offensive in the besieged enclave, one of the planet’s most densely populated territories, could come at a very high cost.
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Barely two days after Israel witnessed the boldest and most sophisticated attack by a Palestinian militant group on its soil, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a promise to the Israeli people. “What Hamas is going to experience will be difficult and terrible… we are going to change the Middle East,” he said.
“Operation Iron Sword” was then launched, with Israeli Defence Minister Youv Gallant warning that, “No electricity, no water, no gas” would reach the besieged Gaza Strip.
By Thursday, the Israeli army had bombarded Gaza with approximately 6,000 bombs containing a total of 4,000 tonnes of explosives, according to an army statement.
The death toll in the enclave, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians, rose to 1,417, said the Gaza health ministry on Thursday, with 6,268 wounded.
But Gazans know the worst is yet to come.
The next stage of the Israeli offensive has become clear; forces are “preparing for a ground manoeuvre” should political leaders order one, Israeli military spokesman Richard Hecht told reporters on Thursday.
Military equipment and columns of armoured vehicles have been moved to the new frontline, where Israel is building infrastructure for future operations,…
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Source : france24
