Gallant, Netanyahu rally troops; invasion of Gaza to happen 'soon'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
19 Oct 2023 21:04

Yoav Gallant and Netanyahu have met with Israeli occupation soldiers and commanders positioned outside the Gaza Strip amid a growing probability of a ground invasion of the Strip.

Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant, wearing a protective vest, speaks with occupation soldiers in a staging area outside the Gaza Strip in occupied Palestine, October 19, 2023 (AP)

A ground invasion of the Gaza Strip will start soon, Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant told occupation soldiers positioned in Gaza's Envelope on Thursday.

"You see Gaza now from a distance, you will soon see it from inside. The command will come," the minister said as quoted by The Times of Israel.

Gallant also admitted his responsibility for the demise of the Israeli occupation forces on October 7 which saw hundreds of soldiers including commanders killed and taken captive by Palestinian Resistance fighters.

Netanyahu also paid a visit on Thursday to occupation soldiers conscripted in the infamous Golani Brigade near the Gaza Strip.

In an address to the occupation troops, Netanyahu claimed, "We are going to win with all our strength."

The Israeli military and political command has been mulling a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip for a week. Bad weather has been used as an excuse for why aggression has not yet been launched.

Officials including Netanyahu have asserted that in response to the defeat they suffered on October 7, "Israel's" military response will involve the uprooting of Hamas from Gaza. However, such a task will prove extremely difficult or even impossible for the floundering IOF which previously suffered defeats in 2008 and 2014.

Al-Qassam issues stern warning

In response to increasing talks about an Israeli ground offensive on the Gaza Strip, Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades released a video on Saturday warning Israeli occupation forces (IOF) against invading the Gaza Strip.

The video titled, "This is what awaits you when you enter Gaza," is a stern warning to the IOF as the Brigades put on display some of their defensive tactics and capabilities in case "Israel" decides to proceed with a ground invasion against Gaza.

Hamas military wing, Martyr Izz El-Din Al-Qassam Brigades, published a video titled: "A message to the [Israeli] ground forces: This is what awaits you when you enter Gaza."#Gaza #GazaUnderAttack pic.twitter.com/ljyh10FjyN
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 14, 2023

In the released footage, fighters exit a camouflaged hatchway, which most probably leads in and out of the Resistance's extensive tunnel structure.

#WATCH | Al-Qassam Brigades unveils the Domestically-produced Al-Yassin 105 mm anti-armor rocket-propelled grenade (RPG).
The round has a tandem warhead shaped-charge that enhances armor penetration.
Al-Yassin entered service for the first during #OperationAlAqsaFlood. pic.twitter.com/ufP8K2mi3X
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 14, 2023

The several fighters carrying Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers loaded with 105mm tandem charges fire toward mock-up tanks. Another group of fighters carrying assault rifles climb towards the tank's door pulling out its crew while another group provides cover fire.

Al-Qassam's warning is the tip of the iceberg of what awaits Israeli soldiers inside Gaza, as the Resistance continues to accumulate experience and weapons as a ground invasion might prove costly to the Israeli military.