US officials have expressed concerns that Israel has no workable plan for sending ground forces into Gaza, and are questioning whether the Israeli can achieve its goal of annihilating the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas, American media reported.
In recent discussions with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized the need for “careful consideration” before launching a ground campaign in the densely populated enclave, the New York Times reported on Monday.
Will There Be a Ground Operation? How Israel’s Official Discourse on Gaza War Shifted – ANALYSIS
“The [US] administration is also concerned… that the Israel Defense Forces do not yet have a clear military pathway to achieve Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s goal of eradicating Hamas,” the report said, adding that,
“In conversations with Israeli officials since the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, American officials said they have not yet seen an achievable plan of action.”
Although the White House has maintained that American officials are not making decisions on Israel’s behalf, the Pentagon has reportedly dispatched three-star Marine Lt. Gen. James Glynn to advise the Israeli army on urban operations.
The officer previously led US special operators tasked with fighting Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS), and before that served in Fallujah, Iraq during some of the most vicious house-to-house fighting following the 2003 US invasion.
🟢CHINESE FM WANG YI (IN A CALL WITH HIS ISRAELI COUNTERPART ELI COHEN): Every state has the right to self-defense but with adherence to the law and protection of civilians.
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— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) October 24, 2023
The Associated Press cited an unnamed US official as saying that Glynn – who served in Iraq during the 2003 US invasion – will reportedly advise Israeli forces on “how to mitigate civilian casualties in urban warfare”.
However, US National Security Council Coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Monday that American advisers will not serve in a combat role, and would merely consult with Israeli commanders.
Another unnamed official told the New York Times that Glynn would not remain on the ground in Israel should a ground invasion begin.
UNRWA: There is a need to deliver fuel to #Gaza, otherwise the process of delivering aid, drinking water, and operating hospitals will stop tomorrow, Wednesday.
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— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) October 24, 2023
During a call with Gallant on Monday, Austin reportedly emphasized “the importance of civilian protection,” and “encouraged” the Israeli military to “conduct their operations in accordance with the law of war.”
On October 7, Israel launched its latest military aggression on the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip. The number of Palestinians killed and wounded in the Israeli war on Gaza rose to over 5,000 killed, and nearly 18,000 wounded.
On October 9, Israel imposed a “total siege” on the Gaza Strip, blocking the entry of food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity.
(RT, PC)
