The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Saturday evening that the military is poised to conduct a multi-pronged attack on the terrorist organization Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The military is readying to “expand the offensive,” instituting a “wide range of offensive operational plans” that include a “joint and coordinated attack from the air, sea and land.”
The IDF noted that it is nearing the end of its activation of reservists, which has seen hundreds of thousands mobilize ahead of the imminent invasion. The IDF has called up a record 360,000 reservists since last Saturday, tens of thousands of whom have massed along the Gazan border.
“IDF battalions and soldiers are deployed throughout the country and are ready to elevate their readiness for the upcoming stages of the war, with a strong emphasis on significant ground operations,” the army said in an official announcement.
“In recent days, the tools required for combat have been transferred to the assembly areas, and at this stage the various units of the Technological and Logistics Directorate are working to complete the qualification of the tools and equipping them with advanced combat means, as needed.”
“IDF battalions and soldiers are deployed all over the country and are prepared to increase readiness for the next stages of the war, with an emphasis on a significant ground operation,” the military adds.
On Friday, Israel instructed civilians residing in the northern Gaza Strip to evacuate the area within 24 hours as preparations were underway to invade and destroy Hamas. “The IDF calls for the evacuation of all civilians from Gaza City from their homes southwards for their own safety and protection and to move to the area south of the Wadi Gaza, the river Gaza, as shown on the map,” IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus said Friday morning.
The evacuation window has been extended to permit civilians to exit the area ahead of what is expected to be intense fighting.
However, Hamas leader Ismail Hanieh has condemned the measure as a “displacement” and urged Gazans to remain in place. “No to displacement from the [West] Bank, not from Gaza, and no to displacement from Gaza to Egypt,” he said during televised remarks.