NATO for “proportionality”
Israel is preparing ground exercises in the Gaza Strip
October 12, 2023, 1:20 p.m
Is Israel’s announced ground offensive imminent? According to army spokesman Hecht, the political leadership still has to decide on this, but the army is ready. NATO states are calling for “proportionality” to be maintained in the event of a possible attack by Israel. But they also supply weapons.
The Israeli army is preparing for a possible ground offensive in the Gaza Strip after Hamas’ major attack. A decision on such an operation has not yet been made, said army spokesman Richard Hecht. The military is waiting to see “what our political leadership” will decide. “But we are preparing for a ground maneuver if it is decided,” emphasized Hecht. In addition to further air strikes, combined attacks from the air and sea are also conceivable, he added.
In its attacks on Hamas, the army is currently concentrating on “eliminating” its military and political leadership, including the Hamas chief in the Gaza Strip, Yahya Sinwar, said Hecht. These are “directly related” to the major attack on Israel.
At the same time, the NATO states called on the Israeli army to maintain “proportionality”. “Israel is not alone,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the meeting of the alliance’s defense ministers in Brussels. Israeli Defense Minister Joav Gallant joined the event via video.
Israel has “the right to defend itself against these unjustified acts of terrorism while maintaining proportionality,” the NATO states said. They called on Hamas to “immediately release all hostages” and called for “the greatest possible protection for civilians.” US President Joe Biden had warned that Israel must adhere to international law “despite all the anger and frustration.”
Germany supplies ammunition and drones
The USA had already increased its military aid to Israel after the attack. According to Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Israel has requested ammunition from Germany for ships. “We will now discuss this with the Israelis,” said Pistorius in Brussels. Germany had already promised Israel two Heron TP combat drones the evening before.
The radical Islamic group Hamas fired thousands of rockets into Israel on Saturday and invaded the country with hundreds of fighters. According to the latest information, the attackers killed more than 1,200 people and took around 150 hostages.
The Israeli army sent tens of thousands of soldiers to the border with the Gaza Strip and put the Palestinian area under constant fire. According to local authorities, 1,354 people were killed in the Gaza Strip.