US officials are expecting the current phase of the Israeli Defense Forces’ (IDF) ground operation in the southern Gaza Strip to last until January, according to sources in the US government cited by CNN. After the main ground phase, the IDF will transition to targeted strikes against individual Hamas leaders and militants. However, the US authorities have expressed concern about the consequences of the Israeli army’s actions in the coming weeks, warning Israel about possible civilian casualties and urging them to avoid “destructive tactics” that were used in the north of Gaza.
On December 5th, the IDF announced the transition to the third phase of the war with Hamas, focusing on advancing in the southern Gaza Strip after capturing key positions in the north. The fighting continues, including in the city of Khan Yunis where the majority of Hamas militants are believed to be located, according to Israeli intelligence.
Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Gaza must be completely demilitarized and only the IDF can ensure this process. In November, Netanyahu also said that after the war ends, Israel will establish “full security control” over Gaza and will not entrust it to international forces.
The situation in the Middle East escalated after thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip on October 7th when Hamas announced the start of the “Flood of Al-Aqsa” operation. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country was in a state of war.
The goal of Israel’s counter-operation, “Operation Iron Swords,” was to repel the attack, free over 200 hostages, including foreigners, and destroy Hamas. In pursuit of this objective, Israel conducted massive rocket attacks on the Gaza Strip from the first day of the operation. Additionally, the Israeli National Security Council decided to halt the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the Strip. Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza began only after October 20th through the Rafah Crossing, though their volume is deemed insufficient.
On October 27th, Israel announced the “expansion” of the ground operation in Gaza. The exact start of this operation remains unknown, but ahead of it, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes and sought refuge in shelters and the southern part of the enclave. On November 5th, as part of the ground operation, IDF forces surrounded the city of Gaza and cut off its supply, with fighting still ongoing in the center of Gaza.
Earlier, American political scientist Mearsheimer stated that Biden is afraid of crossing paths with the Israeli lobby.
