It’s not the ground invasion; it’s a larger tactical strike operation with pauses to gain overhead intel. Without any doubt, the targeting and ordnance is from the command and control of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), but the aerial feeds (in review) are likely U.S. DoD support flowing directly back to the IDF.
Israel appears to be ramping up the direct targeting of Hamas operations in Gaza. Unfortunately, Hamas has the mechanics of their terror machine enmeshed with the civilian population centers and key infrastructure. This allows Hamas to conduct Pallywood propaganda operations in the aftermath. Culturally, the Palestinian people live amid a social value system that rewards victimhood – the more dramatic, the more useful.
(Via Daily Mail) – Israeli warplanes have tonight unleashed airstrikes of ‘unprecedented’ intensity across all parts of the Gaza strip, as it announced it was ‘expanding’ its ground forces’ operations.
The aerial onslaught came with a warning from the IDF to Palestinian civilians still living in Gaza to move south as soon as possible, amid fears that the long-awaited ground invasion of the enclave may take place within hours.
The bombing, which observers described as much more ferocious and louder than previous days, coincided with electricity and communications blackouts in much of the besieged enclave.
[Source Link]
According to one report the Israelis even unleashed ‘bunker buster’ concussion missiles to try and destroy the extensive Hamas tunnel network under Gaza.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari telling reporters at a press conference today: ‘In recent hours we have increased the attacks in Gaza.
‘The air force widely attacks underground targets and terrorist infrastructure, very significantly.
‘In continuation of the offensive activity we carried out in the last few days, the ground forces are expanding the ground activity this evening.’ (read more)
The Israeli war against Hamas is likely to be a long duration event, encompassing several months. The network of tunnels that Hamas has developed under the Gaza strip will have to be targeted methodically in order to try and minimize “civilian” casualties. However, the tunnels are located in places for maximum “human shielding” such as the Shifa Hospital – example above.
We end up watching something akin to a catch-22. Israel can only take this methodical approach, lasting several months, because the U.S. presence is deterring other foreign actors from getting involved. Without the U.S. military presence, the slow and deliberate process of trying to avoid civilian casualties would have to be a lot faster and likely create more collateral damage.
Last point, as we watch the international news feeds of ground reporting on the Israeli War, I again note there was nothing even remotely similar to this type of 24/7 footage from Ukraine. It is a striking contrast to pause and consider the difference between the two conflicts as represented by real time media footage.
