A ground assault on Gaza?
The possibility of a ground attack in Gaza loomed Sunday, while Israeli forces indicated they were still fighting Hamas in numerous locations, including four kibbutzim located not far from the Palestinian enclave where 2.3 million people are crowded together. of inhabitants. The professor emeritus of the history department of the University of Montreal, Yakov M. Rabkin, expects that such an attack, very likely, according to him, will have devastating consequences. “But I don’t know what that will look like in the medium term, because the Gaza Strip has already suffered several very deadly air attacks and that hasn’t solved anything,” he said in an interview with The Press. In the meantime, the Israeli army estimates the number of Hamas fighters having participated in the “invasion of Israel” at around a thousand, said a spokesperson on X. The Tsahal was also trying to save the still numerous Israeli hostages Gaza, “women, children, babies, the elderly and the disabled”. Hamas took “more than 100 prisoners,” according to government press services.
Iran possibly involved
Iranian officials helped plan Saturday’s surprise Hamas attack until giving the go-ahead during a secret meeting in Beirut, Lebanon, last Monday. At least that is what senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, two groups of fighters supported by Iran, said in Wall Street Journal. If Iran’s contribution to this attack against Israel were to be officially confirmed, it could be a step closer to a direct confrontation between these two Middle Eastern powers. US officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, however, have said they have not seen evidence of Tehran’s involvement. European and Syrian officials confirmed to Wall Street Journal the version of Hamas and Hezbollah.
Hamas allegedly duped Israel
An entire information campaign was set in motion by Hamas to make Israel believe that it was focusing on Gaza’s economy and seeking to avoid a confrontation, according to several sources consulted by the Reuters agency. While Israel focused on providing economic aid to Gaza residents in recent years, Hamas fighters prepared for battle, sometimes in full view, according to the same sources. One of the most striking elements of these preparations is the construction by Hamas of a fake Israeli colony in Gaza which fighters were practicing to storm, according to what a source close to the Islamist movement declared, adding that videos of these maneuvers had even been filmed.
A Canadian killed
Global Affairs Canada has learned of the death of a Canadian following the Hamas attack in Israel, while two other Canadians are currently missing. “Canadian government representatives in Israel are in contact with local authorities to confirm this information and gather more,” the Ministry said by email. Currently, 1,419 Canadians are registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service in the State of Israel, and 492 in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Since registration for this service is voluntary, “it is not a complete picture of Canadians abroad,” specifies the Department. All Canadian staff at the Canadian Embassy in Tel Aviv as well as Canadian staff in Ramallah are safe and sound, the Ministry confirmed.
US sends military support to Israel
The United States provided military support to Israel on Sunday by sending new munitions. In a call with the Israeli Prime Minister, Joe Biden announced that “additional aid for the Israeli armed forces is now on the way to Israel, and more will follow in the coming days.” “Several” American citizens died during the Hamas attack on Saturday, the White House confirmed Sunday evening, without specifying the exact number. Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Herzog also mentioned the presence of American citizens among those kidnapped in Israel by Hamas fighters from the Gaza Strip. At the UN Security Council, several members condemned Hamas’ offensive against Israel on Sunday, but the United States regretted the lack of unanimity during this emergency meeting behind closed doors. According to American diplomats, some members are hoping for a text that goes beyond condemning Hamas alone.
With the BBC, Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press