Hamas-Israel conflict: Israel prepares for 'next phase of war'

SGGPO 10/22/2023 09:54

On October 21, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the country's military is "continuing to prepare for the next phase of war, including ground operations."

Israeli military vehicles near the border with the Gaza Strip, October 15. Photo: VNA

Accordingly, the Israeli army has released images of live-fire exercises, in the context of a large number of tanks and soldiers being concentrated near the border area with the Gaza Strip. More than 300,000 reservists have also been called up. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant inspected the northern border area, where clashes between the IDF and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon are also taking place. On the same day, many anti-tank missiles were fired towards Israel here, causing the IDF to respond with artillery fire.

Smoke rises in Gaza City after an Israeli airstrike on October 21. Photo: AFP

Also on the 15th day since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out, 20 trucks carrying relief goods entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt after 2 weeks of blockade by Israel. However, Hamas representatives said that the small amount of relief goods cannot help solve the humanitarian crisis there. It is important to establish a safe corridor to promptly deliver humanitarian aid and allow the injured to receive proper medical care.

Since the conflict began on October 7, an estimated 1,400 Israelis have been killed and more than 4,600 injured. Meanwhile, nearly 4,400 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and about 13,560 injured. The IDF on October 21 repeatedly warned Gazans to evacuate to the southern part of the coastal strip.

Also according to the latest figures from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, about 1.6 million people, equivalent to 60% of Gaza's population, have had to leave their homes to seek refuge due to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/xung-dot-hamas-israel-israel-chuan-bi-cho-giai-doan-chien-tranh-tiep-theo-post710835.html