As Sky News security and defence analyst Michael Clarke alluded to in our previous post, an IDF spokesman says Israeli ground raids in recent days are part of “preparations for the next stages of war”.
We’ve been reporting throughout the day that Israeli forces conducted fresh raids in the central area of Gaza and struck “dozens” of Hamas targets (see 8.18 post).
We’ve heard now from IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari, who said infantry and air forces carried out a targeted raid “during the last day” as part of “preparations for the next stages of the war.”
He said the raids allowed forces to “uncover the enemy”, kill militants and remove mines and launch pads.
Analysis: Intensifying Israeli attacks on Gaza likely indicator that ground offensive close
We’re just hearing from Michael Clarke.
He first addresses the overnight strikes by the US on targets in Syria, saying that they aren’t just symbolic strikes.
“The United States is hitting back in a sense, not just a symbol, but to make it clear that they’re not going to be passive if everyone thinks the US is there to be shot,” he says.
On Israeli incursions into Gaza, he says, “they’re getting bigger”.
“They’re using tanks, vehicles, enormous armoured bulldozers, and they’re moving in further,” he says.
“It may be that these raids become some sort of substitute for a more complete attack – I doubt that – but it’s possible that the Israelis will actually be content with the series of smash and grab raids. But that won’t kill Hamas off.”
He says intensifying airstrikes are not dissimilar to an artillery barrage before an attack during the First World War.
“It’s getting more and more intense as the H-Hour approaches, and I don’t think that will be far away now.”
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