By Said Amouri
JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel is preparing to launch a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip, Israeli Channel 14 said Thursday.
The TV channel noted that approval at the political level is awaited.
"If the ground entry is approved, Israeli forces are prepared to remain there (in Gaza) for several months," it said.
The report said that "the clear goal for the army at this stage is to disarm the Gaza Strip."
The Israeli Air Force said earlier in the day that it has dropped “about 6,000 bombs against Hamas targets” in Gaza since the Palestinian group’s Saturday’s attack.
The conflict escalated into a humanitarian crisis on Oct. 7 when Hamas’s armed wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.
Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.
Israel's response has extended to cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.