Israeli army says Biden’s visit will not delay ground operation against Gaza

ANKARA (AA) – Israel on Tuesday denied reports suggesting that US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel may delay the planned ground operation against Gaza.

The Times of Israel news website cited an Israeli military spokesman as saying Biden’s visit will not delay or complicate the ground operation.

Early on Tuesday, a former Israeli senior army commander told a local radio that Biden’s visit would delay the Israeli ground operation. He, however, stressed that the ground operation is certain but it is a matter of when.

In an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes program, Biden said it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza again, but at the same time stressed that Hamas “must be eliminated entirely.”

Israel’s bombardment and blockade of the Gaza Strip has continued, with over one million people displaced – almost half of Gaza’s total population, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The fighting began when Hamas on Oct. 7 initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Gaza.

At least 2,848 Palestinians, including 750 children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, while the death toll from such Israeli attacks in the West Bank has reached 60.

More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed.