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Why Israel chose now to launch ground invasion of Gaza

Israel launches ground invasion of Gaza following Arab-Islamic Summit criticism and US backing, giving Hamas days to accept ceasefire terms.

Why Israel chose now to launch ground invasion of Gaza
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Israel decided to proceed to the next stage of the war it is waging in Gaza, launching a ground invasion, responding in its own way to the prospect of “isolation” following the Arab-Islamic Summit in Doha and Tel Aviv’s strike on the Qatari capital last week, which marked an unprecedented escalation in the already inflamed war scenario in the Middle East. Operation “Chariots of Gideon II” appears to be in full swing, with Israeli army battle tanks “sweeping” Gaza City, as confirmed by Israeli broadcaster Kan and American media, aiming for its complete occupation.

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These strikes follow the escalation of intense airstrikes on the enclave, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) bombing, according to Al Jazeera, the tallest residential building in the city, the Al-Ghafri Tower. The strikes had cost the lives of at least 24 people by early Tuesday, while more than 40 were wounded.

It is noted that more than 350,000 Palestinians have so far evacuated Gaza City and have been transferred to other areas, as announced by the Israeli military. Thousands of others are estimated to have left the city during the night amid the fierce wave of airstrikes.

Read: Israel Katz: “Gaza is burning, we will not retreat until the mission is completed” – Israel began ground operation in the city

Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza: The Doha Summit, Netanyahu’s parallel reception of Rubio, “Athens and ancient Sparta” and the message to Hamas

Israel’s ground invasion followed the Doha Summit, with Qatar attacking Israel fiercely and Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani “unleashing fire” against Netanyahu, saying he “dreams of the Arab region becoming a sphere of Israeli influence. And this is a dangerous illusion.” It is noted that even Egypt, the first country to establish relations with Israel, threw down the gauntlet, as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi noted that “what is happening right now prevents the future of peace, threatens your security and the security of peoples in the region and adds obstacles to opportunities for achieving any peace agreements and even cancels existing ones.” Jordan’s King Abdullah II moved along the same wavelength, emphasizing at the summit that the strike on Qatar constitutes “proof that the Israeli threat knows no bounds” and called for a “clear and deterrent” response. He urged Arab and Islamic states to take practical measures and “examine all tools of joint action” to address the Israeli threat.

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While attention was focused on Doha, the Israeli Prime Minister was receiving American Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and before a delegation of 250 American legislators (the largest ever), Netanyahu “unleashed tirades” against Qatar (despite support messages for the Emirates from Donald Trump), saying it leads efforts (together with China) to weaken Israel’s international position, emphasizing that the isolation operation will not succeed. At the same time, he sent a message that Israel must rely on its own forces, making special mention of the weapons industry and stating that the country must become “Athens and super Sparta together.” Marco Rubio, meanwhile, yesterday made a special visit to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City, with Benjamin Netanyahu noting that this visit “demonstrates the strength of the Israeli-American alliance. It is as strong, as enduring as the stones of the Wailing Wall we just touched.”

Marco Rubio for his part warned today, Tuesday, that Hamas has only a few days to accept a ceasefire. “The Israelis have begun conducting operations over there. We therefore believe we have a very small window of opportunity for an agreement to be reached” with the Islamist Palestinian movement, he told reporters. “We no longer have months,” but “possibly a few days and maybe a few weeks,” Rubio said as he departed Israel for Qatar.

“Our number one choice is for this to end with a negotiated settlement in which Hamas declares: ‘We will be demilitarized, we will no longer pose a threat,'” emphasized the head of American diplomacy.

“Sometimes, when we’re dealing with a group of savages like Hamas, this is not possible, but we hope it can happen,” Rubio added.

Regarding Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza, there is full US support, provided that the attack on Gaza City must proceed quickly, as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, according to three Israeli sources cited by CNN. The sources characterized the talks — which took place before the ground invasion began — as “very good” and “excellent,” adding that Israel has full support for the attack on Gaza City.

The sources said Netanyahu was asked to accelerate the operation. Meanwhile, Rubio told Netanyahu that the Trump administration still believes Qatar can play a constructive role as a mediator in ceasefire negotiations, according to one of the sources, despite Israel’s attack on Doha targeting Hamas. Rubio did not condemn the attack.

Protests outside Israel’s prime ministerial residence

At the same time, family members of hostages in Gaza arrived at the prime ministerial residence in Jerusalem as Operation “Chariot of Gideon II” began in Gaza City, to protest the move and raise awareness about the potential danger to the hostages, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced late Monday night.

“After 710 nights of captivity by terrorists, tonight could be the last night for hostages who are barely surviving and our last chance to locate and recover the dead for dignified burial,” their statement reads. “Prime Minister Netanyahu bears personal responsibility for the fate of the hostages. The people of Israel will not forgive the sacrifice of the hostages and soldiers.”

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