As a ground offensive of the besieged Gaza Strip loomed, hundreds of Israeli army tanks were deployed near the border in southern Israel on October 19, 2023 waiting all clear from the country’s political establishment and military top brass.
Israeli tanks, troops mounted on armoured vehicles were deployed in the region seeming to suggest that a ground assault on HAMAS in their backyard could begin any moment.
Meanwhile the Israeli Defence Forces said four rockets of nine launched from Lebanese territory were intercepted and added that several anti-tank missiles were fired at Israeli forces.
Israel’s Retaliation
The IDF added that in response to their attacks, Israeli forces targeted the site in Lebanon from where rockets were fired into Israel and also struck a Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure using tank fire. The Israeli Forces also claimed to dismantled a terrorist cell using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) of the IDF.
Views by Military Experts
As Israel gears up for an all-out ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, one of the most pestering challenges it faces is the extensive underground tunnel built by the HAMAS in the area.
Several experts have warned that in the event of a ground offensive, Israel will lose clear advantage it has over the HAMAS in terms of firepower as it will have to fight the enemy on its terrain. The densely populated area with the network of tunnels is likely to pose a security challenge to the IDF as it prepares a ground assault.
An Israeli Defence Spokesperson on October 18, 2023, said that the army was trying to strike the parts of the underground tunnels, but it will not be an easy battle. Earlier, during a joint press briefing with the US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu said the crimes that the HAMAS militants perpetrated on civilians in Israel which included rape, burning, targeting, and beheading children and added that the death toll of the HAMAS terror attacks stood at 1400and was likely to mount.
Day of Infamy
October 7, 2023, is another day which will live in the infamy, said Netanyahu and reiterated President Biden statements that “HAMAS is worse than ISIS”. On October 7, 2023, HAMAS murdered 1400 Israelis in a single day, October 7th is another day that will live in infamy. Mr. President you rightly said that HAMAS is much worse on than the ISIS. The civilized world must unite to defeat HAMAS,”
Additionally, the United States of America deployed two strike carrier groups, each consisting of an aircraft carrier, its planes and several escort warships which have appeared to have deterred Hezbollah from attacking Israel in a major war, an American media agency reported.
Quoting American Officials, the US agency intelligences along with their Israeli counterparts are working to determine whether Israel expected ground offensive against HAMAS in the Gaza Strip could prompt Hezbollah to launch a massive, large scale military campaign against Israel from Lebanon.
The media agency reported that the officials have assessed that Hezbollah Leader Hassan Nasrallah does not want an all-out war with Israel for the fear of the damage it would do his group and Lebanon. American officials said that the assessments could change as more intelligence gathered and events unfold.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has vetoed proposals from his government of a pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah according to American officials and others briefed on discussions.
Military Assistance from US
The US Department of Defence said “Since meeting with PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and members of the Jewish War cabinet, in Tel Aviv, Llyod Austin has fully engaged with the country’s leaders as the US works ensuring has what it needs for defending itself for further attacks and onslaughts.
Sabrina Singh, the Deputy Press Secretary of the Pentagon said in a statement “Since leaving Israel he has held calls with MOD Gallant on a near daily basis and will have another call likely today, and added “We are working to meet Israel’s needs which include air defence, precision guided munitions, artillery in Eastern Mediterranean last week.
The Navy units are part of a broader bolstering of US forces in the region. Last week, the Air Force announced the deployment of the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 attack squadrons to the region according to a US Department of Defence (DOD) press release.
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