Israel conducts tank raid in Gaza Strip: ‘relatively large’ invasion

While the world waited for a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, Israel carried out a nighttime “targeted raid” using tanks in the Palestinian enclave, the IDF said.

Israeli tanks took part in a “targeted raid” overnight in northern Gaza, the army said in a statement on Thursday, as the IDF prepares its forces for a ground invasion, The Guardian writes.

“Overnight, the Israel Defense Forces conducted a targeted tank raid in the northern Gaza Strip in preparation for the next phases of the fighting,” the army said. “The soldiers left the area at the end of the event.”

Israeli troops in armored vehicles attacked Hamas targets during a ground raid in the Gaza Strip, Israeli army radio reported.

The report described it as a “relatively large” ground invasion. It was believed to be the largest Israeli military foray since Israel began massing forces outside the Palestinian enclave ahead of a planned full-scale invasion.

Tanks and infantry vehicles struck “numerous Hamas terrorist cells, infrastructure and anti-tank missile launch sites” throughout Wednesday night before leaving Gaza and returning to Israel, The Jerusalem Post reported, citing army radio.

Since the conflict began on October 7, the Israeli Defense Forces have launched several incursions to probe Hamas positions and gather information about hostages, The Guardian recalls.

Meanwhile, the European Union is expected to unanimously back a call for a “humanitarian pause” in the shelling of Gaza to allow food, water and medicine to be repeatedly delivered to the Palestinians.

But the unity, as The Guardian notes, came after what one diplomat called “difficult discussions” between member states, who spent days arguing over what terminology to use regarding Israel’s right to self-defense.

Earlier drafts of the official declaration, due to be signed at a leaders’ summit in Brussels on Thursday, called for a “humanitarian pause” to ensure “rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and delivery of aid to those in need.”

The single term “pause” was considered too close to “ceasefire” by several member states, believed to include Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, who were concerned that it might weaken the idea of ​​Israel’s right to self-defense.

It turned out that the compromise forum was “pauses,” which could mean that the humanitarian corridor could be opened several times to allow vital supplies and possibly refugees through.

But even if there is agreement, there are conflicting points of view. One diplomat said they “didn’t care” whether the word “pause” was in the official summit communiqué, but were concerned about giving Hamas a window of opportunity.

“If the pause goes on too long, it will help Hamas recover and attack again,” they said.

The difficulties in agreeing on the wording reflect one of the most destructive episodes for the EU in many years, The Guardian emphasizes.