Israel defence minister says troops will soon see Gaza ‘from inside’

Israel's Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, has indicated that Israeli troops may soon be entering Gaza. This statement suggests a potential ground invasion, following a deadly attack by Hamas militants that resulted in the loss of numerous Israeli lives. In response to this attack, Israel has launched a series of air strikes on Gaza, causing significant damage and displacement among the local population. In one instance, residents of a refugee camp were seen attempting to rescue children trapped under the rubble of a bombed building. Amidst these escalating tensions, Egypt has initiated efforts to deliver aid to Gaza, with the first shipments expected to arrive by Friday. Gallant has warned soldiers that the conflict will be challenging and protracted. Following Gallant's address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video assuring victory. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who arrived in Israel shortly after US President Joe Biden's departure, expressed solidarity with the Israeli people. Biden's visit, however, yielded limited success in securing aid for Gaza. He managed to negotiate the delivery of 20 aid trucks from Egypt, a figure significantly lower than the 100 trucks per day recommended by the UN aid chief. Israel has agreed to allow limited aid from Egypt, contingent on the condition that it does not benefit Hamas. They also stipulated that their own checkpoints will only be opened for aid once all hostages taken by Hamas are released. The ongoing conflict and potential ground invasion have raised concerns about the violence spreading to other regions. An Iran-backed Lebanese group, Hezbollah, reported launching rockets at an Israeli position, prompting retaliatory artillery fire from Israel. This marks the most severe escalation of violence on the border in 17 years. In the West Bank, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces resulted in eight fatalities. The death toll from the Israeli strikes on Gaza has exceeded 3,500, with over 12,000 injured. In the southern Gaza Strip, men were seen rushing injured children to the hospital following a daylight bombing. The residents of Gaza have expressed frustration at the limited aid promised, emphasizing their desire for an end to the violent bombardment. The destruction has been widespread, with entire shopping districts reduced to rubble. The United Nations reports that approximately half of Gaza's population has been rendered homeless, yet remains trapped within the densely populated enclave. This situation has incited outrage across the Middle East, complicating efforts by Western leaders to rally Arab allies in preventing the conflict from spreading. Before his departure, Biden urged Israelis to temper their anger, drawing parallels to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in the United States.