Overnight (Thursday), IDF forces conducted a focused raid in the northern Gaza Strip, eliminated terrorists and destroyed terror infrastructures. The forces returned upon completion of the mission.
Footage of the raid in the northern Gaza Strip. (Video: IDF Spokesperson)
The focused raid took place under the command of Givati brigade, involving a large tank-led force moving into the northern Gaza Strip. The raid is part of the preparation of the area for the next stages of the fighting. Forces located and attacked many terrorists, destroyed terror infrastructures, anti-tank positions, and worked to organize the area. Upon completing their mission, the forces left the Strip.
Footage from advance war room. (Video: IDF Spokesperson)
Report: Israel Agreed to US Request to Delay Entry Into Gaza
The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel agreed to delay its ground entry into the Gaza Strip, so that the US could deploy its defensive missiles and systems in the area to protect its soldiers.
According to the report, the Pentagon is working to deploy 12 aerial defense systems in the Middle East in order to protect the American forces in Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates from a possible missile attack – and succeeded in convincing Israel to wait with the ground entry until the systems are deployed. According to estimates, this deployment is set to be completed by the coming weekend.
The WSJ also reported that America fears that its soldiers will be targets of terrorist attacks and Iranian proxies the moment the ground invasion begins. According to them, at least 13 missile attacks against American soldiers in Iraq and Syria have been registered via drones and rockets. One American soldier was killed in these strikes and at least 34 were wounded – 24 in Syria and 10 in Iraq.