Israeli jets on Tuesday hit over 50 targets in the Hamas-ruled Gaza, killing at least 12 people, as the Army mobilised 40,000 reservists to prepare for a “strong” ground offensive and warned the Palestinian militant group to be ready to pay a heavy price for its rocket attacks.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered defence forces to “take off the gloves” and prepare for a possible full-scale ground invasion of Gaza amid escalation of violence.
Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff lt Gen Benny Gantz requested the call-up of 40,000 reserves in order to replace conscripted forces in the West Bank, and enable their deployment to the Gaza border.The Prime Minister’s Office did not confirm reports that the security cabinet approved the request which was made hours after Operation Protective Edge was launched in an effort to quell rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, Jerusalem Post said.
Netanyahu held a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, Chief of Staff Gantz and Israel’s internal security agency Shin Bet’s Chief Yoram Cohen.“Hamas chose to escalate the situation and it will pay a heavy price for doing so,” Netanyahu said during the meeting. Netanyahu said that the time had come to “take off the gloves” against Hamas.
“The Prime Minister’s instruction by the end of the meeting was to prepare for a thorough, long, continuous and strong campaign in Gaza,” a senior official said. “The Prime Minister instructed the Army to be ready to go all in. A ground offensive is on the table,” he added.The Israeli military says it has foiled an attempt by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip to infiltrate southern Israel by sea. lt Col. Peter lerner, a military spokesman, said four attackers were killed on Tuesday, shortly after coming ashore.