Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning, cautioning that Israel’s potential ground incursion into Gaza could lead to “completely unacceptable civilian casualties” among the Palestinian population. He emphasized the complexity of employing heavy machinery in urban areas, underlining the serious repercussions it might entail. The president also highlighted the urgency of stopping the bloodshed and expressed Russia’s readiness to collaborate constructively with relevant partners.
This warning comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with Israel reportedly considering a ground operation in Gaza. The statement, although not addressed directly to Israel, serves as a significant message urging restraint in the face of an intensifying crisis.
Israeli Military’s Preparations for Possible Ground Offensive
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, relayed a message to Gaza residents through various media channels, informing them of a potential ground assault expected in the near future. Conricus called upon Gaza residents, both as a humanitarian gesture and an effort to minimize civilian casualties, to evacuate their homes and head south toward the Gaza Valley, a region that should be familiar to the local population.
He stressed that the goal was not to target civilians but to continue to strike Hamas military targets in Gaza. Conricus acknowledged the difficulties inherent in this task, emphasizing that full compliance with international laws on armed conflicts was of paramount importance. Furthermore, he mentioned the ongoing national effort to recover Israeli casualties in Gaza and the identification process before returning them to their families, a challenging and unprecedented undertaking for the IDF.
A National Endeavor for Israel
Conricus acknowledged the increasing number of Israeli casualties and the substantial national effort to bring them back to Israel and identify them. The IDF is currently facing a situation that is historically unparalleled, as identifying all the casualties might take several days. Conricus also stated that the northern front was stable for the past few hours, with extreme vigilance regarding Hezbollah’s actions in Lebanon.
The objective of the IDF in this military operation is to neutralize Hamas’s military capabilities completely. By the end of this conflict, Israel aims to ensure that Hamas no longer has the capacity to target Israeli civilians. These developments further underscore the gravity of the situation and the broader implications of Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and urging all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that may lead to further escalation.