IDF to send 10,000 soldiers to capture Gaza: this offensive could be the largest since 2006 Lebanon War. Key facts

On the ninth day of the war with Hamas, Israel is going to send 10,000 soldiers to capture Gaza, seeking to conduct the largest offensive since the 2006 Lebanon War. The IDF aims not only to clear the Strip of terrorists but also to eliminate their leader, Yahya Sinwar.

In response, the militants threatened to ambush the Israeli military. At the same time, a Chinese representative traveled to the Middle East to "speed up peace talks" between the parties. OBOZ.UA tells about the key facts known about the Hamas-Israel conflict at the moment (to see photos and videos, scroll to the end of the news).

IDF sends thousands of soldiers to capture Gaza

Israel is planning to send 10,000 soldiers to capture Gaza City and "destroy" the leadership of the Strip, the New York Times reported, citing the Israeli military. The report says that this offensive will be the largest since the 2006 Lebanon War, and the IDF will try to gain ground in part of the Gaza Strip at least temporarily.

A Hamas spokesman responded by saying that the terrorists would ambush Israeli soldiers by jumping out of tunnels behind their offensive to take the troops by surprise.

IDF rules of engagement are being relaxed to make it easier for soldiers to shoot at suspects, Israeli officials say.

The troops will be particularly focused on killing Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, said IDF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht, saying, "This man is in our sights. He is a walking dead man, and we will get to this man."

The WHO has issued another "warning"

On the seventh day of the war, Israel warned Palestinians to leave the northern part of the Gaza Strip ahead of an expected ground offensive against Hamas. The World Health Organization criticized the IDF's intentions at the time, and now says that forcing thousands of hospital patients to evacuate to already overcrowded hospitals in the south of the enclave could be a "death sentence."

"The WHO strongly condemns Israel's repeated orders to evacuate 22 hospitals housing more than 2,000 inpatients in the northern Gaza Strip. The forced evacuation of patients and health workers will further exacerbate the current humanitarian and public health disaster," the organization said.

China wants peace talks

Chinese envoy Zhai Jun is set to visit the Middle East this week to "achieve a ceasefire" in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and "start peace talks," media reported.

"To coordinate with various parties to bring about a ceasefire, protect civilians, ease the situation, and promote peace talks," the Chinese envoy said.

US sends aircraft carrier to support Israel

The US Presidential Administration has confirmed that it is sending an aircraft carrier strike group from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to the Eastern Mediterranean to support Israel. This is "as part of our efforts to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts to expand this war following the Hamas attack."

"The Eisenhower will join the strike group of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, which is already near Israel to strengthen the US presence there with a number of destroyers, fighters, and cruisers. The ship left the port of Norfolk (Virginia) on October 13. It is noted that the presence of two aircraft carriers in the region can provide many options for defense and more.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the day before, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the approach of a "new stage" in the war with Hamas. The IDF noted that the preparations were completed, but also admitted that a number of events could affect the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, including the evacuation of Palestinians and tensions on the country's northern border.

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