The United States shares Israel's desire to destroy Hamas's military infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and conduct a ground military operation, but is adjusting how it should be carried out.
Source. Bloomberg writes about this with reference to Israeli officials. In particular, it is about the need to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza.
The United States is worried that the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group may join the conflict, which in turn could draw the United States and Arab countries in the region into the fighting.
Israel's decision to conduct a ground operation in the Gaza Strip was announced by Alexander Ben Zvi, Israeli Ambassador to Russia. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant also announced the start of the operation, without specifying any exact timing.
Reuters wrote, citing Western officials, that the operation will be truly large-scale and unlike any other that the Israeli military has conducted in the Gaza Strip.
Its purpose, in particular, is to destroy Hamas' underground tunnels, where militants hide their rockets, plan terrorist attacks and are used by terrorists to move through the exclave and enter Israel.
David Handelman, an Israeli military expert, said that the Israeli army has already prepared for a ground operation, but political and humanitarian issues have not yet been resolved.
Background. According to the FT, Israel's war against Hamas has put an end to Western attempts to persuade the global South to support Ukraine.