Israeli analyst explains: 'Ground operations will likely come to an end'

Israeli political analyst Nahum Barnea claimed that "Israel's ground operations, which began in the northern Gaza Strip, will likely end in the city of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza."

Don't leave your news choices to an algorithm - decide for yourself what you read. Add 12punto to your preferred sources!

Israeli analyst explains: 'Ground operations will likely come to an end'

In his article, Barnea, the chief analyst for the Israel-based newspaper Yediot Ahronot, stated that he expects a "secure buffer zone" to be established between the Gaza Strip and southern Israel.

"The Israeli army's ground operation in Khan Yunis will not be similar in scope and strength to the ground operation in the northern Gaza Strip," Barnea said, noting that the options on the table indicate that the ground attacks in Khan Yunis will last between ten days and two weeks and will not exceed this period.

Barnea noted that "unless Gaza City and its surroundings are cleared of Hamas, the clearing cannot be carried out in Khan Yunis and its surroundings."

"CONCERNING"

Referring to the armed Palestinian resistance, which the Israeli army describes as "fierce," Barnea assessed, "The price we paid in the northern Gaza Strip is very concerning, and a similar price could be encountered in Khan Yunis."

Barnea stated that "the White House is concerned about the impact of the images of destruction in Gaza on young voters and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party," and added that "U.S. President Joe Biden appears determined to fulfill his promise to provide 14 billion dollars in aid to Israel."

Analyst Barnea continued as follows:

"Since the outbreak of the war, Biden has provided the strongest possible military and diplomatic support to Israel, but there are concerns within administration circles that the casualties among Palestinian civilians could affect Biden's chances of winning a second presidential term in the November 2024 elections. The aid has not yet been approved. Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate are setting conditions, some of which have nothing to do with Israel. Now, some Democrats are also setting conditions directly related to Israel's policy toward the Palestinians."

BUFFER ZONE

Regarding the ground attack on Khan Yunis, Barnea assessed, "The attack on Khan Yunis is part of the second phase of the ground operation. The ground operation in Khan Yunis will likely be the Israeli army's final step; they will not be able to expand the ground operation to the city of Rafah on the Egyptian border because there is nowhere else for the displaced to go."

Barnea used the following expressions in his article:

"Ground operations that began in the northern Gaza Strip will likely end in Khan Yunis. Afterward, a buffer zone will be established between the Gaza Strip and southern Israel."

Barnea stated that "the buffer zone will not provide much security to Israel because Gaza is a narrow and densely populated region."

Regarding the future of Gaza, Barnea noted that "Israel wants Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Sunni Islamic countries to stand with the U.S. in the administration and reconstruction of Gaza."

LATEST STATUS OF THE OCCUPATION

The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, launched a comprehensive attack on the morning of October 7, citing the reason of "responding to Israel's continuous violations against Palestinians and their sacred values, especially the Al-Aqsa Mosque," while the Israeli army launched intense aerial bombardment on the Gaza Strip.

It was announced that 1,200 Israelis, more than 310 of whom were soldiers, were killed and 5,132 people were injured in the attacks on October 7. According to the Israeli army, 82 Israeli soldiers have been killed in ground attacks on the Gaza Strip and 6 on the Lebanese border.

According to the government in Gaza, the number of Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since October 7 has risen to 16,248, including 7,112 children and 4,885 women.

In the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, 260 Palestinians have lost their lives in attacks by Israeli forces and Jewish settlers since October 7.

The Israeli army has struck the campuses or main buildings of dozens of hospitals in Gaza where tens of thousands of wounded and civilians have taken refuge in order to forcibly evacuate them. During the occupation, they raided some hospitals.

Hundreds of people were killed and injured in the attacks.

While 22 civilians have lost their lives in the Israeli army's attacks on southern Lebanon since October 8, 89 Hezbollah members have been killed in clashes with Hezbollah on the border.

News Source: AA