Israel, Driving Tanks for a Midnight Raid... Steps Toward Full-Scale Ground War (Comprehensive)

Israeli Military "Preparing for the Next Phase of Combat"
Local Media Analyzes Preliminary Ground Assault

The Israeli military announced on the 26th (local time) that it had deployed tanks for a nighttime raid on the Gaza Strip, the stronghold of the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, and then withdrew. Analysts suggest that this raid marks the beginning of a full-scale ground offensive.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that "as preparation for the next phase of combat, operations were conducted in northern Gaza," and that troops entered the Gaza Strip overnight. The IDF stated, "Tanks and infantry targeted multiple terrorists, infrastructure, and anti-tank missile launch sites," adding, "The soldiers completed their mission and exited the area, returning to Israeli territory."

Additionally, the IDF posted a 1 minute and 9 second video showing several tanks moving and targets on the outskirts of the city exploding after shelling.

This nighttime raid by Israel on the Gaza Strip is reported to be the largest infiltration operation of its kind since the war began with Hamas's airstrikes on the 7th. The Israeli military has been conducting limited ground operations since the 22nd. Regarding the IDF's statement that it is preparing for the "next phase of combat" immediately after this attack, The Times of Israel analyzed that it "signifies a full-scale ground assault." This implies that a large-scale ground war is imminent.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated in a TV address the previous day, "We are preparing for a ground invasion," adding, "While I cannot disclose specific details about the (ground forces deployment), the timing will be decided by unanimous agreement of the war cabinet."

Meanwhile, since Hamas's surprise attack on the 7th, Israel has blockaded the Gaza Strip and has been retaliating for three weeks. The IDF views Hamas as an extremist terrorist organization and is preparing to deploy ground forces to completely dismantle Hamas. The international community is concerned that Israel's full-scale ground offensive could lead to hostages and civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip, urging Israel to delay the deployment of ground forces or reduce the scale of the operation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.