Some countries are on full combat readiness: how long can the operation against the Gaza Strip last?

How long can the operation against the Gaza Strip last? / Collage 24 Channel / GettyImages

Israel continues its ground operation in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli army has currently cordoned off Gaza City. IDF units advance in different directions and comb the area both on the ground and underground.

Military expert from Israel David Gendelman told Channel 24 about this, noting that the operation continues as planned.

“The advance was planned slowly, primarily because of the underground city. The goal is a complete capture, a complete cleansing of the entire northern part of the Gaza Strip,” Gendelman said.

According to him, the operation will take several weeks. Subsequently, the cleanup phase continues for several more weeks. It is currently only in its second week since the start of Israel's ground operation.

Who decides the issue of the “big war”

According to a military expert, recently the escalation of rocket attacks has been constantly increasing. For example, the Lebanese branch of Hamas took responsibility for the rocket attack on November 6, when about 30 rockets were fired.

At one time, he was opened so that he would take responsibility for these launches, so that Hamas would not be tied to the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Whether there will be a great war is a question, Gendelman is convinced, in Tehran. After all, Iran has been preparing Hezbollah for many decades to have a “trump card” against Israel.

The United States has assembled a large military force in the Middle East and is directly threatening Iran so that it does not interfere. In addition, the Israeli army is in full combat readiness. Perhaps Tehran will decide that now is an unfavorable moment and there is no need to start a great war, suggested David Gendelman.

At this time, the United States is moving an even larger part of its fleet to the Eastern Mediterranean. This is a weighty argument for Iran, but there is never a 100% guarantee of deterrence.

“The United States also believes that this is an argument that should have an impact. But the final decision is Tehran’s. They have all the possible reasons not to start a big war now. The question is what they will decide. Will they have enough of what the United States has already put on the scales in the form of a military and political authority,” the military expert emphasized.

What's happening in the Gaza Strip: watch the video

IDF operation in the Gaza Strip: the main thing

• The Israeli army said it had surrounded Gaza City. They also divided the coastal enclave into two parts – northern and southern. According to the IDF spokesman, the army has “reached the coastline” and is holding it. At the same time, they said that the IDF would continue to allow civilians to leave northern Gaza.
• The Washington Post reports that the Israeli army has made significant progress in the Gaza Strip. Troops advanced in several directions.
• Meanwhile, Iran is threatening to strike at the United States if it “does not stop the war in the Gaza Strip.” This statement was made by the country's Minister of Defense.
• Israeli Prime Minister says there will be no general ceasefire in Gaza until hostages are freed