According to Deutsche Welle, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak expressed support for Israel’s ground operation in the Gaza Strip, a move that comes as the organization Barak was once associated with was placed on a list of foreign agents by the Ministry of Justice. The remark emphasizes that Hamas activities in Gaza could not be halted by airstrikes, diplomacy, televised appeals from Israel, or broad international support alone. Deutsche Welle notes that Barak framed the Hamas threat as the most serious blow Israel has faced since its founding, underscoring the perceived gravity of the conflict and the perceived need for a decisive response.
The statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated preparations to broaden the scope of operations in Gaza to include a substantial ground undertaking. The IDF described troops as deployed across the country and positioned for the next phase of the fight against Hamas, with a clear focus on carrying out a significant ground operation. The military also highlighted readiness to conduct attacks across air, sea, and land domains, signaling a multi-dimensional campaign landscape in the near term. This information was conveyed as part of the ongoing updates on efforts against Hamas targets and capabilities in the Gaza Strip, with Deutsche Welle attributing the content to official IDF communications.
Earlier in the sequence, the IDF announced large-scale strikes against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. On October 14, the Israeli army reported the use of drones to strike Hamas militants who were launching anti-tank missiles in a location near Gaza. This action was framed as part of an intensified effort to disrupt militant activity and degrade Hamas capabilities, a move that Deutsche Welle reported by referencing official military statements. In this context, wider efforts and subsequent military assessments were framed as part of a broader objective to deter further attacks and restore security in the region, with ongoing updates reflecting the evolving operational picture.
Former Prime Minister Netanyahu has also commented publicly on the scale of Israel’s actions, stating that the campaign had been launched in a massive and unprecedented manner. The characterization of the operation as unprecedented appears in the reporting on the timing and scope of the military actions, as relayed by Deutsche Welle through official statements and subsequent analyses. This framing suggests a strategic emphasis on rapid, large-scale measures intended to alter the dynamics on the ground and address security concerns raised by recent events. Deutsche Welle notes that such assessments are part of the broader coverage of the conflict and its changing momentum, with interpretations and responses continuing to unfold on multiple fronts.