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Middle East conflict

Ground operation in Gaza to start unexpectedly, Israeli ambassador to Russia says

According to Alexander Ben Zvi, there should be "a decision by the government that is related to internal and external factors"

MOSCOW, October 26. /TASS/. The much-anticipated Israeli ground operation against radical Palestinian group Hamas in the Gaza Strip will commence unexpectedly, without any prior announcement, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Alexander Ben Zvi told TASS.

Commenting on potential start dates for the ground operation in the Gaza Strip, the diplomat pointed out that, "when such operations begin, they begin unexpectedly in order to create some sort of advantage."

When asked if the ground operation in Gaza is to begin unexpectedly, Ben Zvi said: "Of course. Otherwise, if everyone is waiting for it, as you know, advantage will be lost. If you say you're going to start on such and such a day at 12:18, it won’t happen."

The ambassador also commented on speculation that a similar operation might begin in the next week or two. "Whether it's likely or not - we don't have such data for sure, because this is a decision at the level of the government, at the level of the army leadership," the diplomat pointed out. "That is to say, several factors should be taken into account there," Ben Zvi said.

First of all, the army must be ready, he explained. In addition, according to the ambassador, there should be "a decision by the government that is related to internal and external factors."

The diplomat also noted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a brief operation "on the ground" in the Gaza Strip on Thursday night, using tanks. "I don't know if this can be called part of a ground operation, but there was an operation, and it was on the ground. I know there was a brief operation related to the destruction of a post or a bunker, but no more than that," the ambassador added.

On escalation of tensions

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when militants from the Gaza-based Palestinian radical group Hamas staged a surprise incursion into Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. In response, Israel announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and began delivering air strikes on the enclave and certain parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are underway in the West Bank as well.

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