16-10-2023 : Amid escalating tensions in the region, Israeli troops are gearing up for a potential ground invasion in Gaza, while U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a warning against occupying the territory, emphasizing the need for a Palestinian state.
As the conflict continues to unfold, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are taking swift measures to prepare for a ground incursion into Gaza. Israeli Air Force conducted sorties over the Gaza Strip to familiarize top ground forces commanders with the terrain. Brigade and battalion commanders, many of whom have never been inside the Strip since Israel’s withdrawal in 2005, were provided with aerial overviews of the areas where ground troops are expected to enter and advance during the impending ground offensive.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi addressed the troops, declaring their responsibility to enter Gaza and confront the Hamas terror group. He emphasized the need to target Hamas operatives, infrastructure, and locations where they prepare, plan, and launch attacks. The intensifying situation has raised concerns about civilian casualties, given Hamas’s tactics of using civilian areas for cover.
However, in response to the mounting conflict, U.S. President Joe Biden, while reaffirming his support for Israel, cautioned against occupying Gaza, emphasizing that it would be a significant mistake. He maintained that while Hamas must be dealt with decisively, there should also be a “path to a Palestinian state.”
President Biden expressed his view that Hamas and its extremist factions do not represent the entirety of the Palestinian population. He stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the conflict and supporting a peaceful resolution. Taking a firm stance on the situation, he asserted that bringing down Hamas is a necessary requirement.
Regarding the ongoing violence, President Biden condemned the tactics employed by Hamas, including the use of civilian areas for their headquarters and operations. He acknowledged Israel’s efforts to minimize harm to innocent civilians but reiterated the need for a Palestinian authority and the establishment of a path towards a Palestinian state.
The longstanding U.S. policy has endorsed the “two-state solution,” which envisions the creation of an independent Palestinian nation alongside Israel. This approach has aimed to address the needs and aspirations of the Palestinian population in Gaza and the West Bank.
Amid the crisis, diplomatic efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the suffering civilian population have yielded progress. Plans are in motion to reopen the Egyptian-controlled border crossing into Gaza, known as Rafah. While a specific date for reopening has not been confirmed, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced this development after a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
The reopening of Rafah border crossing will enable the delivery of much-needed assistance to the people of Gaza. Several countries have offered humanitarian aid, including hundreds of metric tons of supplies, which have been held up in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula pending arrangements for safe delivery to Gaza and the evacuation of foreign passport holders through Rafah crossing.
The situation remains dynamic, and international efforts to de-escalate the conflict and address the humanitarian crisis continue to be a focal point in the quest for peace and stability in the region.