Impending Gaza Ground Offensive: Long and Intense Battle Ahead, Warn Officials

Senior Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visited troops near the Gaza border and spoke of an imminent large-scale ground campaign against Hamas. They warned that the fighting would be difficult, long, and intense but expressed confidence in achieving victory. The head of the IDF Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman, also emphasized that the expected ground offensive would be long and intense. The Israeli government has urged residents of northern Gaza to evacuate as preparations for intensified operations in the area continue. The US has been pressing Israel to devise an exit strategy, while Israel remains focused on removing Hamas from power in Gaza.