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Beginning from the evening of May 13th, there’s been conflicting reports of whether a ground invasion is going on in Gaza.
Initially, the Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed there are “troops on the ground”.
“I said that we will exact a very heavy price from Hamas, we are doing this, and we will continue to do so,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated. “The last word has not been said, and this operation will continue as long as necessary.”
AFP: Israeli Army spokesman Jonathan Conricus confirmed that Israeli soldiers had entered the Palestinian enclave (Gaza). https://t.co/4qXTUkyuCk
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) May 13, 2021
Then, it was denied that the troops were in Gaza, but rather simply along the border fence, carrying out strikes on various locations in the West Bank.
Israeli army spokesman John Conricus said the country was “prepared … for various scenarios”, describing a ground offensive as “one scenario”.
From IDF’s @LTCJonathan to me: “Clarification: there are currently no IDF ground troops inside the Gaza Strip. IDF air and ground forces are carrying out strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip.”
— Alex Ward (@AlexWardVox) May 13, 2021
The IDF is carrying out a heavy airstrike and ground bombardment.
Footage of Heavy Israeli Airstrikes Underway in #Gaza as Hamas continues to fire rockets.
Israeli Army spokesman confirmed then denied that ground troops entered the strip. Fighting intensifying: pic.twitter.com/WqxqRZ9gj1
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) May 13, 2021
Essentially, Israel’s military attempted to walk back on some initial statements, claiming they were mistranslated to the AFP – confirming that “ground troops” are now involved in operations at the border but that the “invasion” has yet to begin inside the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military’s “air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip,” the Israel ministry of military affairs tweeted late Thursday.
Hamas had earlier warned Tel Aviv of a “heavy response” in case it launched such incursion following many days of airstrikes against the enclave.
Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz though sent 9,000 reservists to the occupied territories’ border with Gaza in an “exceptional call-up,” the Associated Press reported.
It had earlier been reported that 5,000 such reservists had been dispatched to the border area. It was not clear if there was any overlap between the two numbers.
Amid Hamas’ warning, however, the Israeli military later denied having moved into Gaza.
“There are currently no IDF (Israeli military) ground troops inside the Gaza strip. IDF air and ground forces are carrying out strikes on targets in the Gaza strip,” it said, according to the Times of Israel.
So far, according to latest reports, at least 109 Palestinians, including 28 children, have been killed in the Israeli attacks.
Many world leaders have condemned the violence and urged restraint, and a visit by Egyptian security officials was a significant development in international efforts to bring about a ceasefire. The officials have held separate meetings with Hamas and the Israelis, AP cited two Egyptian intelligence officials as saying.
Israel rejects any ceasefire attempts and continues its offensive, possibly preparing a ground invasion.
The UN Security Council will publicly discuss the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian militants on Sunday, diplomats said after the United States earlier objected to a meeting on Friday.
“Too many innocent civilians have already died,” Antonio Guterres tweeted. “This conflict can only increase radicalization and extremism in the whole region.”
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Iron Zion must be having wet dreams being surrounded by tanks and hundreds of men about to attack women and children with sticks and stones . Into the field where Iron Crosses are born. What a brave man he must be. The US refused to allow a UNSC meeting giving a green light to Israel to attack while pretending to call for restraint.
Around the time the IDF was preparing to enter Gaza there were 3 rockets fired from South Lebanon. Shortly after we began to hear comflicting reports about whether they were going in or not.
I believe the IDF got a warning from Nasrallah … “Stay out of Gaza, or we get involved …”
No further rockets from South Lebanon since the IDF ‘clarified’ their position.
Nasrallah is watching … making sure the fight is fair. He is the Hidden Referee in this fight …
They won’t invade, they’ll just continue to kill defenseless people from afar. urban combat is something entirely different..
In actuality Bibi wants this storm to end. Arab won’t mind if they lose thousands in this flare-up.
Whatever, israel does would be a bad PR for them either way.
Ironic is that, these flare ups gives Netanyahu the chance to hold on to power.
It was an intel trap. Once announced, Hamas operatives went running for Metro, their underground tunnel network. They have miles of it. Israeli drones and spies watched, marked entrances and then hit them with smart, guided missiles, collapsing major sections. There are images of collapsed streets that came down on tunnels.
How about a link to these images and story or are they just conjured up in your head
The israhell did try to enter gaza and got beaten badly…and scurried for cover. And now the cover story.
In 2014 Operation Protective Edge, all of israel’s losses were attributed to ground incursions. In one day 13 soldiers from Eitam brigade perished. This has jolted IDF’s top brass. This time they won’t go there again.
Israel will take pot shot against Hamas from afar. With airstrikes on buildings and tunnel strikes.
direct invasion does not suit Israel—they will suffer too many casualties
However striking Hamas target would also mean collateral damage.
Israel despite its superiority suffers bad PR. And this operation will solidfy that even further.
At the end of the day, the real winner is Bibi. Expect large amount of votes coming his way.