The terrible portent of an invasion in Gaza
Much like the attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7 and its horrendous results, the U.S. has no idea when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will begin their military objectives in Gaza. But the Biden administration has expressed grave concerns about the achievability of such an invasion.
Senior administration officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, have called for a careful consideration of the invasion, especially in view of the massive intricacy of tunnel networks under densely populated areas.
On Monday, the Pentagon dispatched Lt. Gen. James Glynn, along with other officers, to Israel to help with the imminent invasion, although the Biden administration has announced that by no means they are trying to advise Israel about how to conduct its affairs.
To this end, on Sunday, a diplomat from the Israeli Embassy denied that the U.S. was advising the Israelis to delay the ground invasion. “The U.S. is not pressing Israel in regards to the ground operation,” the diplomat said.
An invasion is sure to trigger even more outbreaks of demonstrations in support of the Palestinians and possibly expand the war into other regions of the Arab world. Already there are mounting concerns about military engagement in northern Israel on the Lebanon border where Hezbollah combatants pose a lethal threat.
Meanwhile, the division between proponents of Israel’s defensive measures and the plight of Palestinians continues without any sign of stopping despite calls for a ceasefire.
Political groups and even members of Congress are riveted by the conflict in Israel and Gaza where, amid the exchange of gunfire, trucks arrived in Gaza with relief from the humanitarian crisis.
An invasion by the IDF would probably put an immediate halt to the flow of food, water, and medical supplies so desperately needed.
The release of two more hostages by Hamas was certainly good news, but there are claims that more than 200 are still somewhere in Gaza. The Biden administration continues to argue for the release of all the hostages before any ground invasion proceeds.
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