JERUSALEM: Israeli ground forces operated within northern Gaza Strip, attacking multiple Hamas targets before withdrawing, military said in statement on what Israel’s Army Radio described as biggest incursion of current war.

Video of overnight action issued by military showed armoured vehicles proceeding through sandy border zone. Bulldozer is seen levelling part of raised bank, tanks fire shells and explosions are seen near or amid row of damaged buildings.

Military statement posted online said incursion was carried out “In preparation for next stages of combat”, possible reference to large-scale invasion that Israeli leaders have threatened as part of war to destroy Hamas.

“Soldiers have since exited area and returned to Israeli territory,” Military statement added. Israel began localised ground incursions as war, triggered by an October 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas gunmen and entered its third week. Israel’s Army Radio described Thursday’s incursion as biggest yet. There was no immediate comment from Hamas in Gaza.

BOMBARDMENT

Israel bombarded Hamas targets as it prepared for ground invasion, with Russia warning conflict could spread beyond Middle East and as world powers failed to secure plans to deliver critical humanitarian aid to besieged Gaza Strip.

US President Joe Biden in remarks looking beyond war said that future should include Israeli and Palestinian states side by side. “Israelis and Palestinians equally deserve to live side by side in safety, dignity and in peace,” Biden said at joint press conference in Washington with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last day.

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned conflict could spread beyond Middle East and said it was wrong that innocent women, children and old people in Gaza were being punished for other people’s crimes.

“Our task today, our main task, is to stop bloodshed and violence,” said Putin in meeting with Russian religious leaders of different faiths, according to Kremlin transcript. “Otherwise, further escalation of crisis is fraught with grave and extremely dangerous and destructive consequences. And not only for Middle East region. It could spill over far beyond borders of Middle East.”

Reflecting concerns Gaza war may spread, Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had agreed to delay invading Gaza until US air defence systems can be placed in region, as early as this week, to protect American forces. Iran, Israel’s arch-enemy, has sought regional ascendancy for decades and backs armed groups in Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere as well as Hamas. It has warned Israel to stop its onslaught on Gaza.

‘GROUND INVASION’

Israel has vowed to wipe out Hamas, which rules Gaza. “We will keep striking in Gaza in order to achieve goals of war,” Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said. “Every strike strengthens us and improves our situation ahead of next stages in war.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in televised statement that Israel was “Preparing for ground invasion. I will not elaborate on when, how or how many.” Israeli tanks and troops are massed on border with Gaza awaiting orders. Israel has called up 360,000 reservists.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 27 2023

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