2023-10-25 20:36:41
Regarding an expected ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said in a televised address: “We are preparing for a ground attack. I won’t say when, how and how many.” He also won’t go into the range of considerations, most of which are not known to the public, said the head of government. “And that’s the way it should be. This is the way to protect the lives of our soldiers.”
In a speech, Netanyahu called on his compatriots to carry weapons with them. The residents of the Gaza Strip should move to the south of the coastal strip. Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said in the evening that the Israeli air force was continuing to attack targets in the Gaza Strip in preparation for a ground offensive. “Underground terrorist infrastructure” was also hit on Wednesday. “Every strike improves our situation for the next phases,” Hagari said. An extensive tunnel system runs beneath the densely populated coastal strip.
APA/AFP/Christophe Ena Netanyahu called on the population to carry weapons
“WSJ”: Israel agrees to postponement
The Wall Street Journal (“WSJ”) previously reported that Israel agreed to postpone the ground offensive so that the United States might deliver missile defense systems to protect US troops stationed in the region. The paper cited Israeli and US officials. The delivery of the US air defense systems might take place this week, it is said.
Israel is also taking into account humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip and diplomatic efforts to free hostages held by Hamas militants in its planning, the newspaper report added. There were reports earlier this week that Washington had recommended that Israel postpone its ground offensive. Qatar – which is mediating with the Palestinians – will also be kept informed of these talks, the Archyde.com news agency reported.
Biden contradicts reports of postponement
A little later, US President Biden contradicted reports that he had called on Israel to postpone a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. “It is your decision,” said the US President. He made it clear to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that – if possible – the hostages in Gaza should be freed safely, Biden said at a press conference in Washington on Wednesday.
Biden was asked whether he had received an assurance from Netanyahu that the ground offensive would be postponed until the release of the hostages was secured. To which Biden said: “No.”
APA/AFP/Getty Images/Drew Angerer US President Biden insisted that the hostages in Gaza should be freed
Macron: “Massive” ground offensive would be a “mistake”
French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke out. He said in Cairo on Wednesday that it would be a “mistake” to launch a “massive” ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. While reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense, the French president said following a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi that such an operation, if it were enormously large, would be a mistake, citing the civilian population.
Analysis of the ORF correspondents in Belgium, Israel and the USA
More than two weeks following Hamas’s attack on Israel, the Israeli army continues to carry out counterstrikes on the Gaza Strip. There is also a geopolitical classification of the ORF correspondents Inka Pieh in Washington and Raffaela Schaidreiter in Brussels as well as the correspondent Tim Cupal in Israel.
Sisi also made similar statements: He warned once morest an expansion of the Gaza war. “We see with great concern that the cycle of violence may be extended to other parties in the region,” the head of state said today in Cairo at a press conference with French President Macron.
“The declared aim of the war is to eliminate Hamas and other armed groups in the Gaza Strip,” Sisi said. “We must try to prevent the invasion of the Gaza Strip, because the invasion of the Gaza Strip can result in a lot of civilian casualties,” the president continued. It is important to use the time to free hostages.
Netanyahu announced investigation
According to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel wants to comprehensively investigate why the terrorist attack by the Islamist Hamas might not be prevented. “This failure will be fully investigated, everyone will have to give answers – including me,” Netanyahu said in a video address today.
Biden insists on protecting civilians in Gaza
US President Joe Biden has called on Israel to protect the population in the Gaza Strip. Israel has the right to respond to the attack by the radical Islamic group Hamas, but it must do “everything in its power” to protect civilians, Biden said.
However, that will only happen following the war. His current task is to “lead Israel to a decisive victory.” However, unlike Defense Minister Joav Galant, he did not take direct responsibility for the political and military failure on October 7th.
Israel: Over half of the hostages have foreign passports
Israel also reported on Wednesday that more than half of the estimated 220 hostages held by the radical Islamic group Hamas have foreign passports from 25 different countries. The Israeli government said that 54 were Thai nationals.
According to Israeli information, 138 of the hostages have foreign passports, including 15 Argentinians, twelve Germans, twelve Americans, six French and six Russians. It is believed that many of them have dual Israeli citizenship. But for some, such as the Thai and five Nepalese hostages, this is certainly not the case. There is also one Chinese hostage, one from Sri Lanka, two from Tanzania and two from the Philippines, the government said.
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