Israel has agreed to delay its ground operation in the Gaza Strip for the time being so that the United States has time to send anti-missile systems to the area, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing American and Israeli officials.
In its planning, Israel also takes into account the effort to send humanitarian aid to the civilians of Gaza, as well as diplomatic efforts to free the hostages held by Hamas, according to the publication.
A key concern is the safety of US troops, the newspaper’s sources said. The US military and other officials believe US forces will be targeted by armed groups when the ground operation in the Palestinian enclave controlled by Hamas begins. The US is accelerating the deployment of nearly 12 anti-aircraft systems in the region.
“The delay in ground intervention made us that much more deadly”
“Actually the time we’ve been given has made us much more prepared, much more effective, much more lethal against Hamas,” Lt. Col. Gilad Pasternak told Sky News, adding that his troops have been preparing for action throughout this period of time. delay.
One of the goals of the invasion is to free the hostages. “I’m sure that’s exactly what’s going to happen,” said the 38-year-old officer, who serves in the 828th infantry brigade, considered one of the most effective in Israel.
A Sky News correspondent who went to one of the ground troop assembly stations described there being a “nervous energy” in the area. Several soldiers, with stern faces and full combat gear, asked not to be photographed. But others looked more relaxed, or even smiling, as they stood next to a line of armored personnel carriers in a sprawling stretch of flat, sandy fields in southern Israel, weapons slung over one shoulder, while some carried heavy green backpacks.
“When we have the signal, we will be able to do what is necessary”
However, notes the journalist who reported on the brigade, anyone who is there feels that preparations are being made for battle and the Israeli army is not in a state of prolonged waiting, even if at the diplomatic level there are discussions about possible delays.
Pasternak stated that the brigade is ready to maneuver where necessary. While he did not specifically talk about any delay, he said soldiers have been using their waiting time wisely since the leadership mobilized the army following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
According to the military, “all the ground forces know exactly what they are going to do and in fact, the waiting time that our commanders gave us, actually made us much more prepared.”
“When we have the signal, we will be able to go, do what we need to do, and we have full confidence in our leadership to do it,” he added.
Land invasion
For days now, Israel has been declaring that it is preparing to move into the next phase of the war against Hamas. This includes a ground attack on Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas but is home to more than 2 million Palestinians.
Despite the massing of thousands of soldiers, tanks and artillery along the border with the Palestinian enclave, there was no rush to invade. In contrast, allies such as the US are calling for no hasty attack, while Hamas is holding more than 200 hostages inside Gaza. There is also concern about the increasing number of dead Palestinians, including children and women, who have been killed during the ongoing Israeli airstrikes.
Although Israel maintains that it is only hitting Hamas targets, it knows that the organization operates within the civilian population. Another risk is that Israel’s conflict with Hamas could trigger a regional war, as it is possible that Iran will try to take advantage of the crisis.
“Hamas has built a terror infrastructure in Gaza”
The brigade’s soldiers point out that after Hamas attacked Israel they had no choice but to fight. Lt. Col. Pasternak said the goal of the military operation is to free the hostages, which he said he was “certain is going to happen.”
Gaza is no stranger to the serviceman, who was injured during a previous ground invasion in 2014, but has said he is ready to return. “I know Gaza is dangerous. The infrastructure that Hamas has built is an infrastructure of terrorism. But I know that the Israeli Armed Forces are strong and capable” to meet their mission, he said.
Sky News: These are five reasons why Israel hasn’t launched a ground attack
The world community is on standby, waiting for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to press the “button” and start the ground military operation after the joint statement he issued with the military leadership of his country. However, there are many factors that prevent the start of the operation. On the one hand, the USA, which in their own way “brakes” Israel, on the other hand, Egypt and Qatar, which act as mediators for the release of Hamas hostages, while at the same time there is a division in the Arab states.
One thing is certain… that the question remains “why Israel has not started the military operation”.
As reported by the British Sky News, Israeli tanks and soldiers are waiting at the border after Netanyahu called in hundreds of thousands of reserves.
Leadership
Those in power who make the decision to attack know it could be “their last chapter in public life,” said Middle East expert Robert Satloff.
Many, however, bear responsibility for the October 7 attack, which was launched by Hamas, knowing that an investigation will likely follow.
Homers
More than 200 people remain hostages in Gaza and are believed to be hiding in a network of underground tunnels.
Officials will be under pressure to save as many as they can before any attack, with Biden administration sources suggesting the US is advocating delaying the invasion until more prisoners are freed.
Danger to Israeli troops
Former senior British intelligence officer Philip Ingram told Sky News that the Israeli military will be up against some of the toughest terrorists in the world.
He explained that Hamas would know the routes through which Israel would travel, using mines, snipers and planning attacks through its network of tunnels.
“There is a danger of falling into a trap,” said a former top Israeli official.
Hezbollah
The danger of Hezbollah, which has developed actions in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, cannot be underestimated.
Hezbollah is exchanging fire with the Israelis on the border with Lebanon and has also warned Israel of a ground attack.
“No one has an appetite for the development of two fronts,” the former security official said.
Exit plan
Netanyahu has not settled on an exit plan from Gaza, a senior government official said.
At the same time, if Israel achieves its strategic goals, no one knows who will replace Hamas.
Source: protothema.gr
