'Israel' deploys troops along Gaza for October 7 anniversary
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The Israeli occupation forces have bolstered their troop presence along the Gaza Strip border in preparation for potential attacks on the anniversary of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7.
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Israeli soldiers move on armored personnel carriers (APC) near the separation line with Gaza as smoke rises to the sky in the Gaza Strip, seen from southern occupied Palestine, Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) announced on Sunday that additional troops had been deployed along the separation line with the Gaza Strip in anticipation of potential attacks on the anniversary of Operation al-Aqsa Flood.
"In preparation for the October 7th commemoration events, additional defense personnel have been deployed near the Gaza Strip... The [IOF's] Gaza Division has been reinforced with several platoons, with forces stationed to defend both the communities and the border area. The soldiers are fully equipped to defend the region in coordination with local security forces, the Israel Police, and Magen David Adom, ensuring a comprehensive response to any incidents that may arise," the IOF wrote on Telegram.
On Saturday, The Times of Israel reported that the expected attacks could include missile strikes, possibly targeting central "Israel."
Read more: Palestinian Resistance confronts Israeli incursion in north Gaza
Operation al-Aqsa Flood, launched on October 7, 2023, aimed primarily at exchanging Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners.
Another significant factor contributing to the operation was the disruption of a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and "Israel," which would have granted full diplomatic recognition of "Israel" without addressing the issue of Palestinian statehood.
Due to the inability of Israeli forces to reach their goal of eliminating Hamas, the conflict escalated into a genocide, resulting in over 41,000 Palestinian martyrs since the war began a year ago.
In addition to the death toll, the majority of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Gaza have suffered extensive damage or been completely destroyed.
Hospitals, schools, homes, and essential public facilities have been targeted, leaving countless civilians displaced and without access to basic services.
366 days of genocide
Earlier today, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that the death toll has risen to 41,870 after the IOF committed three massacres overnight.
About 45 Palestinians were killed in the massacres and 256 were injured, most of whom were transported to barely functional hospitals.
Still, the majority remain trapped beneath the rubble, unable to be rescued, as "Israel" continues to obstruct the routes and operations of medical, Civil Defense, and rescue crews.
