By Zein Khalil
JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army has completed preparations to carry out a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, local media reported Wednesday.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN said all evidence, including troop movements, indicates the army is ready to enter the Palestinian enclave.
It noted that the incursion into Gaza will mark the second stage of the war after clearing Israeli settlements of Palestinian gunmen.
On Saturday, the Israeli army said it was increasing its operational readiness for the next stage of the war, in reference to a ground invasion of Gaza.
The conflict began on Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”
At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the Israeli death toll in the conflict is at more than 1,400.
*Writing by Ahmed Asmar