Along 51 kilometer border between Israel and GazaThousands of men and women are preparing for what they consider the honorable duty of defending their country. Some took planes from halfway around the world to come here. Others come from different parts of the Jewish State. They all arrived days ago and their missions have not started yet. well Ground attack close to Gaza Strip It’s hard to believe what the Israeli Army announced. Just 15 days after the Hamas attack that claimed the lives of almost 1,400 Israelis, the prime minister said: Benjamin Netanyahuseems to have put the brakes on when it comes to military action. And the plan involves doing this in three phases.
“Nothing has been postponed,” explains the Brigadier General Emir Avivi. Founder Israel Security and Defense Forum Representing 16,000 Army reservists (IDSF, its English acronym) is repeating the phrase that has dominated military officials for two weeks: “the ground offensive is coming.” “When we decide, it will happen,” he tells EL PERIÓDICO. The message is clear. “We will conquer Gaza” “To completely destroy Hamas and Islamic Jihad, to destroy the infrastructure of terrorist organizations,” he says forcefully. “There is no other way to do this. without ground attack“, To add.
However, many people note that: the word ‘soon’ It loses its meaning two weeks after the attack by Islamist Palestinian militias. Still, no one in Israel doubts that its army will also enter Gaza by land. A record number of reservists have been drafted since the beginning of the conflict. 360,000Those distributed between the northern border and the southern border to neutralize Hezbollah. In recent days, Israeli authorities also evacuated the area. border towns together with the settlement area by declaring the area as military area and limiting access to soldiers and authorized persons.
Actions on the ground
Beyond the war-mongering speeches of Netanyahu and his Defense Minister, Joab Brave, something is being done. “There are several interconnected reasons why the Israeli army has not yet begun a ground operation,” he explains. Danny Orbachmilitary historian Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “First of all, there is fear in the ranks they are not prepared enoughBecause Hamas has been preparing for this invasion for years with tunnels, explosive traps or ambushes,” he analyzes. “If Israel had attacked immediately afterwards with a sense of revenge, He fell into Hamas’ trap“Invading unprepared for the enormous consequences this would imply,” he adds.
Therefore, although the troops do not cross this porous border for now, movements along this border are multi-directional. There education constants, repairs tanks and military vehicles, the designs of tomorrow’s strategic plans. Gallant had already announced that the war would unfold in three phases. “Another reason why Israel wants to achieve this maximum international support Orbach said that even before entering the European Union and the United States, he himself was surprised by the protection of many European countries. “Also the third reason may be related to: Netanyahu’s characterBecause he is often a hesitant leader who prefers to postpone decisions before making them,” says the Harvard University graduate.
“We have no choice”
Military experts agree: Israel has no choice but to enter Gaza. Avivi says ironically: “Unless you want to reinvent physics, there is no way to destroy Hamas other than entering the Strip.” “Although the entry was rapid, it was necessary to clear the area of terrorist infrastructure. it will take us months”adds the IDSF founder. “We need two unconditional things: Controlling the Egyptian border We must not allow this flow of arms into Gaza, and secondly, have full trading freedom As in Judea and Samaria [nombre usado por las autoridades israelís para referirse a la zona de la Cisjordania ocupada]; “Without this, we cannot guarantee the elimination of Hamas,” he concludes.
The need to occupy Gaza is a survival questionDefend soldiers and civilians in the Hebrew State. “Israel cannot exist if it does not destroy Hamas and Hezbollah”which is part of the siege circle around us and is gradually closing Iranian through its allies,” condemns Orbach, pointing out that his country “faces a dilemma.” Avivi agrees, stating that “the army is very, very motivated.” “People really want to defend their country, Something existential“says the Brigadier General. This motivation is clearly visible on the border towards the Israeli side. It is clearly evident on hundreds of young faces Those who wait for such a desired signal are very risky.
Gaza’s suffering
Dozens of soldiers polish tanks and continue on their way at the gates of Kibbutz Be’eri, the scene of one of the Hamas massacres, two kilometers away from Gaza. Our new colleagues are coming. “We are 300,000 Israelis who came together to defend their country after the October 7 atrocity,” the major said. Marcus Sheff Among the dust raised by military vehicles moving at full speed. “The military is focused on eliminating Hamas, its infrastructure and everything it has created; “Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the civilian population of Gaza,” he replied. More than 4,000 Palestinians were killed with Israeli bombs these days.
His look, his speech, his expression do not pass that barrier; civilian population This situation has been adding to all the suffering of the Palestinian people – which is also tragic for them – since October 7. “The army must be prepared. urban warfare “This will happen when we get to the Strip,” Sheff repeats to this newspaper. Behind him, and behind a fence still riddled with holes, dozens of tanks, trucks, excavators and other military infrastructure continue to roll around carrying recruits. Few people pay attention. gray smoke It emerges from the profiles of the buildings in the background before reaching the Mediterranean Sea. Literally straightening Gaza areaIsraeli soldiers eagerly await the order to save their country.