Israel moved closer to launching a full-scale invasion of Gaza on Saturday, massing troops on the enclave’s border and “preparing to expand” its response to last week’s brutal terror attacks on Israeli civilians.
The Israel Defense Forces signaled an imminent attack on Hamas forces in a lengthy post on its website hours after the 24-hour evacuation window for Gaza residents closed on Friday.
“This is our time to face this test, and our job is to decide and win this war,” Col. Bnei Aharon, commander of the IDF’s 401st Brigade, said in a military post “We have the best people, we have the best general. We are the best combination of forces in the world.”
The IDF website boasts that Israel will launch a “coordinated and coordinated attack from the air, sea and land” — but does not indicate when the operation will begin.
A series of forward logistics centers have been set up in Israel to ensure troops take part in “vital ground operations” supplied, the army said.
A column of Israeli armored vehicles gathered near the Gaza border Saturday. AFP via Getty Images An Israeli soldier directs a Puma armored personnel carrier near the Gaza border Saturday. AFP via Getty Images
“We are deployed and very ready for the next phase of the war,” said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the military’s top spokesman, in a press conference Saturday.
“We are preparing the team, researching plans, preparing in all arenas, south, north and central,” he said.
“We are focused on Gaza but deployed widely” throughout Israel, he added.
Israeli military vehicles move near the Gaza border ahead of the expected invasion.AFP via Getty Images
“That allows us to operate simultaneously in all arenas.”
More than 1,300 Israeli civilians were killed by Hamas in a series of attacks on Oct. 7, with at least 120 more taken into Gaza as hostages.
The worst attack on Israel in 50 years: How we got here
2005: Israel unilaterally withdraws from the Gaza Strip three decades after winning the territory from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
2006: The terrorist group Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections.
2007: Hamas takes control of Gaza in a civil war.
2008: Israel launched a military offensive against Gaza after Palestinian terrorists fired rockets into the city of Sderot.
2023: Hamas launches its biggest attack on Israel in 50 years.
More than 1,300 Israelis have been killed, more than 3,000 injured and at least 100 taken hostage, with the death toll expected to rise after Hamas terrorists fired thousands of rockets and sent dozens of militants into Israeli cities.
Hamas terrorists are seen taking women hostage and parading them through the streets in a gruesome video.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced “We are at war” and promised Hamas would pay an “unprecedented price.”
Gaza health officials reported at least 1,400 Palestinians killed and more than 6,000 wounded.
Since then, Israel has attacked Gaza with more than 6,000 airstrikes, killing at least 2,200 Palestinians.
“The next stage is coming,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told IDF servicemen during a visit Saturday to two of the kibbutzes that were destroyed by Hamas terrorists last week.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
