New Delhi: Israel Saturday announced its big ground operations into the Gaza Strip over three weeks after the deadly terror attack by Hamas that has reportedly claimed the lives of nearly 1,400 Israelis, including women and children.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its “best soldiers and commanders” are now operating in Gaza to dismantle Hamas and bring back the over 200 hostages held by the Palestinian militant group.
“Three weeks have passed since this war began. This is a war with multiple stages. Today we have moved to the next one,” the IDF chief Lt Gen Herzi Halevi announced on X.
A statement from LTG Herzi Halevi.
“The objectives of this war require a ground operation – the best soldiers are now operating in Gaza.” pic.twitter.com/KUGj6cG4Ke
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 28, 2023
In the video put out by the IDF, he said, “Our forces are currently operating on the ground in Gaza strip. These activities are being supported by precise and heavy fire, all in service of the war objectives — dismantling Hamas, securing our borders and supreme effort to return hostages home”.
He added that till date the IDF has established its defensive line, conducted strikes in which “hundreds” of enemies have been killed and infrastructure destroyed.
“Responsibility for the situation in Gaza lies with Hamas and its criminal action. Best soldiers, commander, well-trained and prepared, are now operating in Gaza,” he announced.
Earlier in the day, the IDF reportedly dropped leaflets warning Palestinians that Gaza City is now a “battlefield”.
“To the residents of the Gaza Strip: The Gaza governorate (Gaza City) has become a battlefield. Shelters in northern Gaza and Gaza governorate are not safe,” the army said in leaflets dropped by fighter jets, as it urged residents to “evacuate immediately” to the south.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
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