Israeli military prepares to deploy two brigades to Gaza Strip, predicting Rafah attack

(Cairo = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Sang-hoon = The daily Times of Israel reported on the 24th (local time) that the Israeli army, which had predicted an attack on Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, which is considered the last bastion of Hamas, is preparing to deploy two brigades of troops to the Gaza Strip. reported.

The Israeli military said that two reserve brigades, the 679th Armored Brigade and the 2nd Infantry Brigade, which have been operating on the northern border with Lebanon, have completed preparations for operations in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks.

The Israeli military explained that these two brigades have honed their combat skills and received combat and maneuver training in the Gaza Strip, and that they will be assigned to the 99th Division and deployed to the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli 99th Division was deployed to the central area of ​​the Gaza Strip at the beginning of the war.

The Israeli military previously withdrew the five brigades of troops it had deployed to the Gaza Strip at the end of December last year, and then withdrew all but one brigade from the Gaza Strip on the 7th when Iran’s retaliatory attack was expected.

The Times of Israel added meaning, saying, “Preparations for the new deployment of the two brigades to the Gaza Strip were made amid preparations for a new offensive in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah.”

Israel believes that Hamas leaders and remnants are hiding in Rafah, as well as hostages taken by them.

Therefore, they argue that only by deploying troops into this city can the war goals, such as eliminating Hamas and rescuing hostages, be achieved.

However, the international community, including the United States, is dissuading Israel, saying that if street fighting breaks out in Rafah, where 1.4 million refugees are concentrated, significant civilian damage is expected.

Nevertheless, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at an advance on Rafah in his Passover speech to the nation on the 21st, saying, “We will increase the level of military pressure on Hamas in the next few days.”

In addition, satellite photos revealed that a large-scale tent camp is being built near Rafah, leading to speculation that an Israeli military attack on Rafah is imminent.

Hayom, a local newspaper, reported that while ceasefire negotiations with Hamas have reached a deadlock, the Israeli government has decided to attack Rafah and will carry out the attack soon.

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2024/04/24 18:16 Sent