Former Hamas leader anticipates 'dangerous stage' with Israel's ground operation

ISTANBUL (AA) - Former Hamas chief Khaled Meshal said Thursday that an anticipated Israeli ground operation in Gaza "will lead to a dangerous stage,” noting “the United States is actively participating in the battle.”

His remarks came during a virtual meeting with a group of young people followed by an Anadolu correspondent in which he touched on Israel’s expected offensive against the Gaza Strip following the launch by the Palestinian group Hamas of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on Oct. 7.

"The United States is actively participating in the planning, management and distinctive contribution to the battle to conduct a ground operation or maneuver in order to achieve the desired goals with the least loss possible, because Israel cannot bear a similar loss as that on Oct. 7,” said Meshal.

He pointed out that Washington is pursuing three paths.

“The first is to avoid a ground operation. Israel has been given the opportunity to strike Gaza from the air for a long period of time as US President Joe Biden said that he wanted the Mosul model to be executed, not Fallujah (in Iraq). That is because of its lower cost and comprehensive destruction that potentially leads to raising the white flag.

"The second path is US intervention through sending military experts. They sent generals, the Delta Division, which is known for its expertise in releasing hostages, modern ammunition to penetrate deeply underground and nerve gas weapons to be used to paralyze the fighters in the tunnels for a period of time," he said.

"The third path will be after the first and second are completed. It is a tactical plan to invade from the sea in northern Gaza, or in the form of a belt, or conduct a comprehensive invasion. There were some attempts to test the pulse east of Khan Yunis in the past two days."

Meshal warned that "the ground battle is coming and they are planning it comprehensively to reduce losses and prevent a second strike” after the first one on Oct. 7.

He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Netanyahu cannot stop the war without a victory. Otherwise, the situation will fire back at him in the form of an internal crisis, since he is already facing corruption charges."

"Despite the military mobilization, there has been no victory. There are currently negotiations to release more captives along with the opening of the crossings and reducing the political and media outrage,” he added.