Israel has not launched ground assault on Gaza

Israel

Israel has not launched ground assault on Gaza

IDF statements sowed confusion, almost certainly deliberately

BY JC Reporter

May 14, 2021 08:23

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TOPSHOT - An Israeli 155mm self-propelled howitzer, loaded on a trailer, arrives at a position along the Israel-Gaza border on May 13, 2021. - Israel deployed additional troops to Gaza's border as the military conflict with Palestinian Islamists raged on, while inside Israel security forces scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND / AFP) (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)

The Israel Defence Forces confirmed this morning that ground troops have not entered Gaza, after a night of confusion prompted by a statement on its Twitter account.

This morning the IDF spokesman issued a "clarification", saying "there are currently no ground troops inside the Gaza Strip. IDF air and ground forces are carrying out strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip."

Last night, the IDF said that "air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip." This morning it emerged that those attacks are taking place from within Israel. It is believed that the earlier statement may have been deliberately designed to be ambiguous, to confuse the terrorists.

The IDF also confirmed this morning that the target of its operations in this latest action is Hamas' so-called 'Metro' tunnel system. The operation involves 160 aircraft, tanks, artillery and infantry troops on the Gaza border.