There is debate about whether Israel is doing something foolish by delaying the invasion of Gaza.

Israel has reportedly agreed to consider delaying its ground invasion of Gaza for a few days to allow hostage talks to continue, sparking heated debate at home and abroad over the move.

The Biden administration is said to be at the forefront of a cautious approach, concerned that Israel does not have an achievable military goal (eradicating the terrorist group Hamas), in part due to a lack of preparation to complete the monumental task.

“Hamas has had 15 years to prepare a dense ‘defense in depth’ that integrates underground, above-ground and ground fortifications, communication tunnels, emplacements and combat positions,” Michael Knights, a member of the Washington Institute. analysis.

The terrorist group has laid the groundwork for “possible minefields, improvised explosive devices, explosively formed armor-penetrating mines, and booby-trapped buildings,” all of which carry the potential for massive Israeli casualties.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has had numerous calls with hardline Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in which he outlined the problems U.S. forces faced during their own urban fighting in the Middle East. during the last two decades.

“The first thing everyone should know, and I think everyone knows, is that urban combat is extremely difficult,” Austin said on ABC News’ “This Week” on Sunday.

Israeli tanks and troops are stationed and ready to attack along the border of the Gaza Strip.HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

President Biden echoed Austin’s call to consider delaying the invasion during his trip to Tel Aviv last week, urging Israel to avoid the same mistakes the United States made after the impassioned attacks of September 11, 2001.

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“I warn you that, while you feel that anger, do not let yourself be consumed by it. After 9/11, we were furious in America. While we sought justice and got it, we also made mistakes,” Biden told reporters.

During a speech in the country, Biden called on Israel to make “an honest assessment of whether the path forward will achieve those goals.”

But a senior Israeli security official told The Guardian that the current situation is different from the situation the United States found itself in.

Israel Defense Forces leaders have said they are prepared to begin the invasion of Gaza. AFP via Getty Images

“It’s not Fallujah, it’s not Baghdad, it’s not Basra, it’s a kibbutz 300 meters from Khan Younis or Gaza City,” the source said, referring to the proximity of Israeli forces to the target territory.

“Our villages are very far from the Palestinians who invaded them last Saturday,” the source said, referring to the Oct. 7 massacre of some 1,400 Israelis during a Hamas sneak attack.

The Israel Defense Forces have insisted they are ready to fight and announced they had given the government the “green light” to issue marching orders last week as legions of tanks were seen parked along the Gaza Strip border. Loop.

IDF officials warned the government on Tuesday that its troops could not be kept on standby indefinitely if they wanted to remain battle-ready, according to the Times of Israel.

Some critics have warned that the longer Israel waits to attack Gaza, the more likely it will lose public support as its army continues to bomb Hamas and harm civilians. MOHAMMED SABER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

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Former Israeli Deputy National Security Advisor Chuck Freilich also noted that waiting for an attack exposes Israel to the risk of public opinion turning against it as its rocket attacks on Gaza continue to harm civilians. from the city.

“Clearly, as time goes on, the legitimization of an Israeli attack diminishes,” Freilich told ABC News. “Like uglier photos [of civilians] leaving Gaza harms Israel.”

During a visit to IDF troops on Monday, Gallant promised them: “We are preparing thoroughly. It will be a lethal attack.

“Do your job, prepare, we will deploy you,” he said.

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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