NEW YORK, October 29. /TASS/. Israel has given up plans to conduct a large-scale ground operation in Gaza and replaced them with several limited ones in coordination with the US, the New York Times reported, citing American officials.

According to the newspaper, the decision "to hold off on a full-scale invasion of the Gaza Strip and instead conduct more limited ground incursions, at least initially, aligns with suggestions that the US defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III, made to his Israeli counterparts in recent days. The initial plans for the Israeli operation alarmed US officials, who expressed concern about the lack of achievable military objectives, the newspaper said.

According to Pentagon officials, US experts said that Israel appeared to be conducting a phased operation in which larger forces are brought in after Hamas militants are discovered in Gaza. "Once the weaknesses, seams and gaps are discovered, they bring in the main assault force," the newspaper quoted former CIA officer Mick Mulroy as saying.

Retired US General Frederick Hodges, who served in Iraq, said such tactics appear to be a way for Israeli forces to to reduce or limit casualties as well as collateral damage" to buildings.