(ETH) – Israel has reportedly deployed a mass of tanks and troops to the Gaza border after threatening a military invasion after rejecting Hamas’ calls for a ceasefire.
This comes on the heels of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissing the calls for calm, saying a bombing blitz will only “increase in force”. According to reports from The Sun,
The Israeli military is now fully preparing to send troops into the Gaza territory, with two infantry units and one armoured unit already deployed to the border.
The report reveals that a ground operations plan will be submitted to military executives today, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said, before it is submitted for approval to the government.
The IDF revealed that “marching orders” were to intensify operations, as Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus added: “We will continue to operate to attack their military infrastructure and prepare additional activities until they get the message.”
Many, including the UN are warning that the latest move by Israel increases the risk of even more casualties in the region.
Among casualties already sustained have been high-profile Hamas military chiefs that were killed in a barrage of airstrikes. Six commanders and a further five key Hamas figures were also “neutralised” on Wednesday.
There are estimates of more than 1,500 missiles that have been fired by both sides during this week’s conflict, leaving at least 83 people dead, including 17 children.
