"Israeli Military Indefinitely Postpones Ground Troop Deployment in Gaza Strip Amid Suspension Concerns"

Growing Public Support for Negotiations on Additional Hamas Hostage Releases
Pressure from the US and the West to Delay Ground Troop Deployment

As the Palestinian armed group Hamas released two additional hostages and hostage exchange negotiations are underway, the Israeli ground forces' attack on the Gaza Strip continues to be postponed. Consequently, concerns have been raised within the Israeli military that the deployment of ground troops could be indefinitely delayed or even halted. The United States and Western countries are also strongly urging the Israeli government to postpone the ground troop deployment for the sake of hostage exchange negotiations, and it is expected that internal debates within Israel will intensify in the future.

On the 23rd (local time), Israeli forces refueling a tank in Sderot, a city near the border area between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Sderot=AFP·Yonhap News

According to the Israeli local media Times of Israel on the 23rd (local time), concerns are spreading among Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) insiders that if hostage exchange negotiations with Hamas continue, the Israeli leadership may indefinitely postpone or even cancel the ground operation.

In particular, Times of Israel reported that the concern over an indefinite postponement of the ground operation is becoming a reality as Hamas released two additional Israeli hostages on the same day. Earlier, Hamas announced that it would release two elderly Israeli women as a humanitarian consideration. This came just three days after releasing two American hostages on the 20th.

In a statement released via its Telegram channel, Hamas said, "We have released two female hostages under the mediation of Qatar and Egypt." The released Israelis are Nurit Cooper (79) and Yocheved Lipschitz (85), both elderly women. They are known to be residents of the Nir Oz kibbutz near the Gaza Strip. Hamas explained, "Both are elderly, and health reasons were also considered in their release."

It is estimated that Hamas is holding about 220 hostages in the Gaza Strip. Times of Israel pointed out that as Hamas is stalling through hostage exchange negotiations, the Israeli military's ground troop deployment in Gaza continues to be delayed.

Western authorities, including the United States, are reportedly pressuring the Israeli government to postpone the ground troop deployment operation. The New York Times (NYT), citing a senior White House official, reported, "The Biden administration is not demanding that Israel halt the ground troop deployment but is advising a delay in the operation," adding, "While fully supporting the IDF's goal of destroying Hamas, they want more time for hostage release, humanitarian aid, and strengthening preparedness against attacks."

The Israeli military has gathered about 360,000 reservists, including tanks and armored vehicles, in the border area with the Gaza Strip, awaiting the start of the ground troop deployment operation, while small-scale clashes with Hamas continue.

On the previous day, the Israeli military announced that one Israeli soldier operating in the Gaza Strip was killed by a Hamas anti-tank missile attack. This marks the first ground force clash between the two sides within the Gaza Strip, and military tensions continue to escalate. Israeli military spokesperson Colonel Daniel Hagari stated, "One soldier was killed and three were injured during an operation west of the Gaza Strip separation barrier due to an attack by Hamas."

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