"US Lacks Preparedness for Israeli Ground Troops Deployment in Gaza Strip... Caution Needed"

Deployment of US Officers Involved in IS Sweep Operation
US Defense Secretary: "Urban Warfare Is Extremely Difficult"

As Israel prepares a large-scale ground troop deployment operation in the Gaza Strip, the U.S. government has reportedly expressed opposition, citing insufficient readiness of the Israeli military's ground operation capabilities. Experts warn that if Israel launches a reckless ground operation without clear attack objectives, the Israeli forces could suffer serious damage. The U.S. government has also reportedly dispatched numerous officers who participated in Middle East operations against the Islamic State (IS) to assist in designing the ground operation.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

On the 23rd (local time), The New York Times (NYT), citing senior officials from the Joe Biden administration, pointed out, "The U.S. government is concerned that the Israeli military currently lacks clear military objectives for the ground operation planned in the Gaza Strip and is not prepared to initiate a ground invasion with a feasible plan."

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, during a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant on the same day, reportedly urged more caution regarding the Gaza Strip ground operation, according to NYT. Secretary Austin emphasized in the call, "The Gaza Strip is a densely populated area with numerous tunnels constructed by Hamas," adding, "Urban warfare is extremely difficult, and the Israeli military must carefully consider how to conduct ground operations in Gaza."

The U.S. Department of Defense also sent many officers, including U.S. Marine Corps Major General James Glynn, who were previously deployed in IS counterterrorism operations, to assist in designing Israel’s ground operation, NYT reported. The Department of Defense stated that these officers are not permanently stationed in Israel and will all withdraw once Israel’s ground operation in Gaza begins.

Military experts also warn that although the Israeli military is planning a large-scale ground troop deployment, significant casualties are expected without thorough preparation. Michael Knights, a military security expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), pointed out, "Hamas has devoted great effort over the past 15 years to building a deep defense line connecting ground and underground tunnels and various fortresses," adding, "If ground combat proceeds through buildings filled with minefields, explosives, and booby traps, massive casualties are expected."

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