Photo: Global Look Press
Currently The IDF has not launched a large-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip, but preparations are underway for the ground phase of the operation, Israel's ambassador to France, Raphael Morav, told Europe 1.
He noted that continued attacks on Gaza are also worth considering. as “part of the preparation” . According to the diplomat, a ground operation will be carried out, but on a limited scale.
According to him, the “control and communication center of Hamas” is located under the largest hospital in Gaza. Morav said the operation must be carried out “surgically” to prevent civilian deaths.
The fact that the Hamas headquarters is located under the largest hospital in the enclave, Al-Shifa Hospital, was announced by the Israel Defense Forces a few hours before launching a wave of airstrikes in Gaza and announcing expanded ground force operations.< /p>
Hamas earlier said the Israeli army had launched an invasion of northeastern Gaza and fighting was ongoing.
On the morning of October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas. At the same time, organized groups of Hamas fighters began to penetrate Israeli territory, easily overrunning the first line of defense of the Israeli army, taking hostages and causing serious damage. Israel later launched Operation Iron Sword, launching attacks on the Gaza Strip and cutting off all supplies of water, food, electricity, medicine and fuel.
The current death toll from Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 7,300, including 20 Russian citizens , the number of injured exceeded 19 thousand. In addition, Hamas militants may be holding up to 150 Israelis hostage. More than 1.3 thousand people were killed in Israel.
The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to stop all hostilities. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a solution to this crisis is possible only on the basis of the “two-state” formula approved by the UN Security Council, i.e. the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with the capital in East Jerusalem.