Israel Launches Fresh Incursion into Gaza, Suggests Possibility of Multiple ‘Invasions’
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Gaza/Jerusalem—Israel: Ground Forces Enter Gaza, Preparing for Possible Ground Invasion
Israel said its ground forces had pushed into Gaza overnight to attack Hamas targets as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “preparing for a ground invasion” that could be one of several.
“I will not elaborate on when, how or how many,” he said in a televised update to citizens on Wednesday evening.
The besieged Palestinian enclave is already reeling from almost three weeks of Israeli bombardment, which was triggered by a mass killing spree in southern Israel by the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists who run Gaza.
Hamas Threatens to Kill Hostages, Sparks Fears of Wider War
Hamas has threatened to kill some of the more than 200 hostages it brought back to Gaza, of whom Israel says more than half hold foreign passports, from 25 countries.
Other Iranian-backed groups have since attempted attacks on Israel elsewhere in the region; Western leaders fear that a high death toll among Palestinian civilians, who have already been killed in large numbers by Israeli air strikes, could spark a wider war.
President Biden Discusses Efforts to Secure Release of Americans Held Hostage
U.S. President Joe Biden held a call with Mr. Netanyahu, discussing “ongoing efforts to locate and secure the release” of Americans believed held hostage in Gaza, the White House said overnight.
It said safe passage for foreigners wishing to leave Gaza, a continuous flow of aid into the narrow coastal strip, which is blockaded by Israel, and a pathway to permanent peace with the Palestinian people were also discussed.
“The President reiterated that Israel has every right and responsibility to defend its citizens from terrorism and to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law,” the White House said.
Israeli Incursion into Gaza Delayed to Protect American Forces
Reflecting concerns the Gaza war may spread, the Wall Street Journal reported that Israel had agreed to delay invading Gaza until U.S. air defense systems can be placed in the region, as early as this week, to protect American forces.
Asked about the report, U.S. officials told Reuters that Washington had raised concerns with Israel that Iran and Iranian-backed Islamist groups could escalate the conflict by attacking U.S. troops in the Middle East. An Israeli incursion into Gaza could be a trigger for Iranian proxies, they said.
Israel Strikes Syrian Army Infrastructure in Response to Rocket Attack
Israeli warplanes struck Syrian army infrastructure on Wednesday in response to rockets fired from Syria, an ally of Iran. Israel has also targeted Syria’s Aleppo airport and Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Iran, Israel’s arch-enemy, which backs armed groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen as well as Hamas as part of a long-running bid for regional ascendancy, has warned Israel to stop its onslaught on Gaza.
