Click to see full-size image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) escalated its strikes on the northern part of the Gaza Strip early on May 16 in what appears to be final preparation for a final offensive in the Palestinian enclave meant to completely occupy it and defeat the Hamas Movement.
Citing Palestinian health sources, the Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported that over 100 people were killed in the early morning strikes, which targeted an ambulance in the area of Jabalia and more than 11 residential buildings in other parts of northern Gaza.
Residents in central Israel reported hearing loud blasts overnight, possibly due to the strikes on Gaza, according to Hebrew media.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-owned Al-Hadath news channel said that IDF tanks and armored vehicles were advancing towards the area of Beit Lahiya in the northern part of the Strip.
Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18, shattering a ceasefire brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar last January. Since then, nearly 3,000 Palestinains have been killed. Around 30% of the Strip was also occupied by the IDF, which faced minimum resistance from Hamas and other armed factions.
The IDF called up tens of thousands of reservists earlier in the month in preparation for “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” a final large-scale offensive against Hamas.
According to Hebrew and Arab media reports, Israel will launch the large-scale offensive if Hamas refuses to release the remaining hostages – at least 58, including 23 who are believed to be alive – as a part of a new ceasefire agreement before the end of U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing visit to the Middle East.
In a departure from its previous policy which fully supported Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the U.S. has been making efforts to de-escalate. On May 12, the Trump administration managed to secure the release of Israeli hostage soldier Edan Alexander, who is also an American citizen, in a direct deal with Hamas.
Israel later re-engaged in indirect talks with Hamas through Qatar. Still, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appears to be more interested in a military solution. The IDF could launch Operation Gideon’s Chariots within days, if not hours.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
let’s go jews!!
these brain dead jews are going back to bleed again. typical for sociopathic jews who have an extreme appetite for conflict, on both interpersonal and geopolitical levels. this level of pathological sociopathy is encoded in their genetics
these are disturbing videos of how american money given to israel is used to kill and maim children