Israel "Will Enter Gaza"... Middle East Engulfed in Turmoil

On the morning of the 20th (local time), thick black smoke rises into the sky in the northern Gaza Strip, Palestine, following an airstrike by the Israeli military.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Despite international community warnings from the United States, Europe, and others, Israel is strongly signaling the deployment of ground forces into the Gaza Strip, plunging the Middle East situation into turmoil.

On the 22nd (local time), according to the local daily Times of Israel, Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, told commanders of the Golan Infantry Brigade the previous night, "We will enter the Gaza Strip. We will carry out operations and specialized missions to destroy Hamas's operational facilities and infrastructure."

Chief of Staff Halevi also said, "We will engrave in our hearts the people and situations who died two weeks ago on the Sabbath," encouraging remembrance of the surprise attack by Hamas militants on the 7th.

He continued, "The Gaza Strip is a complex and densely populated area. The enemy is preparing many things. But we are also prepared to respond to this," emphasizing readiness.

This statement follows remarks by Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who strongly hinted at the deployment of ground forces into the Gaza Strip, drawing attention.

As the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas enters its 16th day, concerns are growing that the increased likelihood of Israel's ground invasion could escalate into a new Middle East war, often referred to as the Fifth Middle East War.

In particular, fears are mounting that a large-scale Israeli ground operation could lead to intervention by Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based armed faction supported by Iran, expanding the front and prolonging the war. This has accelerated international efforts, especially among Western countries and the Islamic world, to prevent such a scenario.

The United States has promised security support to Israel and is preparing for the full-scale involvement of Iran and its proxy Hezbollah, while advising a cautious approach to Israel's ground operation in Gaza, which could result in massive casualties.

Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden, after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Israel, urged in a speech, "Do not be consumed by anger," recalling that the U.S. made mistakes in the anger following the simultaneous 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

Israeli soldiers are riding in a tank near the Lebanon border on the 21st (local time). The Israeli military stated that several anti-tank missiles were fired from southern Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed faction allied with Hamas, toward Israel, and they responded with live fire.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, as the offensive by Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based armed faction supported by Iran, intensifies, Israel has begun full-scale responses, including expanding evacuation orders for residents.

The Israeli military and Ministry of Defense issued a statement ordering additional evacuations for 14 villages near the Lebanon and Syria border areas. This follows last week's evacuation orders for 28 villages located within 2 km of the Lebanon border.

Iran has warned that a "new front" could be formed against Israel, raising the possibility of a conflict escalating between Israel's ally, the United States, and Iran.

Palestinian armed group Islamic Jihad, allied with Hamas, has also warned that the front could expand to the West Bank. The Israeli military has recently conducted airstrikes in the West Bank, citing reasons such as "eliminating terrorists."

The United States has begun deploying the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system in the Middle East and is preparing to increase troop deployments in anticipation of Iran and Hezbollah's involvement in the war.

On the same day, Israel conducted airstrikes on Damascus Airport and Aleppo Airport in Syria, paralyzing aircraft operations. This appears to be a measure to prevent Iran from supplying weapons to Hezbollah and others.

Meanwhile, casualties on both sides have continued to rise since the outbreak of the war, with the majority reported to be civilian victims.

According to the Gaza Strip Ministry of Health, as of the morning of the 21st, the death toll reached 4,385, with 13,561 injured. In Israel, over 1,400 people have died, and 210 are believed to have been taken hostage by Hamas.

On the 20th, Hamas released two American women held hostage in Gaza for the first time, but most hostages are reported to be injured, suffering from various illnesses, elderly, or otherwise vulnerable, raising growing concerns about their health and safety.