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Hamas: Israeli army awaits go-ahead for Gaza ground offensive

“We are preparing for a ground manoeuvre if it is decided. The military is preparing for the next stages of war.”

• October 12, 2023
Israeli soldiers (Credit: Sky News)
Israeli soldiers (Credit: Sky News)

Israel’s army is waiting for the green light from the government for a possible ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, according to a military spokesman.

The army is waiting to see what the political leadership decides about a potential ground offensive, army spokesman Richard Hecht said on Thursday.

“We are preparing for a ground manoeuvre if it is decided. The military is preparing for the next stages of war,” he said.

Israel’s army has mobilised some 300,000 reservists for a war with Islamist Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip.

According to the army, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have fired around 5,000 rockets into Israel since Saturday morning.

Hamas insurgents carried out massacres last Saturday, killing more than 1,200 people in Israeli border towns and at a music festival.

Around 150 people were captured and are currently being held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has responded to the killings with a heavy air bombardment of the Gaza area.

According to the territory’s Health Ministry, more than 1,200 people have been killed and around 5,800 others injured there.

(dpa/NAN)

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