Heavy machine gun fire was heard on the Israel-Gaza border in the early hours of Friday after a ground invasion was given the green light.
Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, visited troops along the Gaza border on Thursday and told them they would soon see the Palestinian enclave “from the inside.”
An IDF infantry commander told on Thursday that they were ready to invade, adding that there was “a very high level of optimism” among his troops.
Israel’s leaders are determined to liberate Gaza from its Hamas rulers, even if that means a house-to-house operation that could take “years.”
They have refused to discuss plans for what will happen in Gaza after the fall of Hamas: Joe Biden, who was in Israel on Wednesday, asked about a Gaza after Hamas and was reportedly told that all resources are currently rather were more focused on the invasion than the day after.
However, several Israeli politicians have mentioned the creation of an expanded demilitarized zone around the border.
In the early hours of Friday, CNN international diplomacy editor Nic Robertson reported an increase in Israeli military activity around the Israel-Gaza border.
Israeli troops patrol near the border with Gaza on Thursday ahead of the invasion
Israeli tanks deployed to the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday, ahead of an impending invasion of the enclave
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Merkava tanks stand in a staging area in southern Israel near the border with the Gaza Strip on Thursday
Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an IDF spokesman, asked about the moves, telling CNN’s Erin Burnett that the military was ready but would not announce its invasion in advance.
“The reserves are ready, equipped, mission-oriented and ready for the next phase of our operations,” Conricus said.
“But at this time, of course, we will not announce when, where and how we will advance or conduct or increase our military activities.”
Nir Barkat, Israel’s economy minister, confirmed that the invasion had been approved and it was now up to the military to decide when to attack.
“The Israeli government made a decision, gave the army the green light to wipe them out, and now everything is in the hands of the army,” he said.
Troops were not expected to enter while foreign leaders were visiting.
Biden left Israel on Wednesday evening: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak visited him on Thursday morning and then left for Saudi Arabia.
Biden addressed the American people from the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday evening – only his second address in the Oval Office since becoming president.
He used his speech to explain why the Israeli war and the battle in Ukraine were so important to the United States.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, posted a video on X calling for troops, suggesting the invasion was imminent.
A veteran IDF commander told that his troops were ready to “wipe out Hamas.”
Eliezer, a major in the IDF who goes by Ezzy and declined to give his last name, is stationed in southern Israel with the Golani Brigade – a group of reservists often one of the first to be called up for active duty.
Ezzy joined in 2004 and has served in Israel in the last four major wars as an engineer, rabbi and commander.
His unit is expected to lead the brigade’s troops – neutralizing minefields, creating new routes, seizing beachheads and detonating explosives, he told .
“Without question, this is different than any other year,” he said. “But morale is very high, very optimistic.”
Ezzy said the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks motivated his troops.
“Obviously we experienced the initial shock in the first few days. “Tons of grief — but there wasn’t a lot of time to grieve,” he said.
“We didn’t know when we would go in, we thought we would go to Gaza much earlier.”
Ezzy said the soldiers have a strong sense of purpose.
‘We are very close.
“There is a lot of brotherhood and as time goes on the spirits rise – there is a very high level of optimism.”
“I can’t remember Israel being so united. “More than ever, I feel the support – we’re getting messages.”
He said they appreciated international support for their war against Hamas.
“I feel like the world is united – it’s not just the Jews, but everyone who understands that there is good and evil,” he said.
“They understand that Israel is fighting for the good of this world – not just for Israel, but for light in this world.”
And he said his troops were ready to enter Gaza.
“The soldiers are trained – they want to go in,” he said, adding that they spent their days “sharpening our skills at the planning and physical levels.”
“They are ready, but we are taking it day by day,” he added. “We see every day that it’s not a blessing when we go in because we can use it to train and be better prepared.”
Ezzy said their mission was “clear” and described the invasion’s objectives as straightforward.
“Hamas must be wiped out,” he said.
“There is no argument – it is clear.” We always knew what their (Hamas) intentions were, and now we know what their capabilities are.
“We know that we must completely destroy the enemy, and that is what we must do.” It is not known when exactly we will go in. We’re taking it day by day.’