IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman said that the plans are being put together and will then be given to Israel’s political echelon for approval.
Site where rocket landed in Petah Tikva, May 13, 2021
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
As the Israeli military intensifies its strike on Hamas, plans for a possible ground invasion of the Gaza Strip will be presented to IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kohavi for approval later on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Hidai Zilberman said that the plans are being put together by the Gaza Division and Southern Command and will then be given to Israel’s political echelon for approval.
The IDF has hit government targets and banks as well senior leaders in the terror organization. On Thursday morning, the IDF struck a terrorist cell that was preparing to launch an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) towards Israel.
“The organization is losing everything,” Zilberman told reporters on Thursday morning.
“Tonight we started destroying government targets in the Gaza Strip, such as central banks and internal security buildings. Hamas is beginning to discover cracks and there is pressure in the organization, even among the Gaza public who is losing its patience and sees these ruins on the eve of the holiday [of Eid al-Fitr],” he said.
Over 650 targets belonging to Hamas have been struck since the beginning of Operation Guardian of the Walls, such as those belonging to their police, Interior Ministry, banks, homes of commanders including that of the battalion commander of Khan Younis, a naval commando unit and a defensive tunnel inside a school.
Three high-rise buildings were also destroyed by Israel Air Force airstrikes and some 60 Hamas operatives have been killed, including 10 senior commanders.
