US military advisers are dissuading Israel from conducting a full-scale ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
The American television channel CNN reports this, citing sources.
Why the US is discouraging Israel from a ground operation
Earlier, the Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Defense Forces, Herzi Halevi, said that the ground operation was being postponed due to tactical and strategic factors, but this gives the military time to prepare.
US military advisers are urging Israel not to repeat the experience of brutal urban warfare during the Iraq War, according to a report.
So that the Israelis do not get bogged down in a bloody battle for every single house, – the message says.
According to the channel, American military advisers are calling on the Israeli military to limit itself to precision strikes and targeted special forces raids.
It is noted that American advisers rely, among other things, on the experience of capturing Iraqi Mosul, which was controlled by the Islamic State terrorist group. The capture of Mosul was largely possible due to special forces operations.
The channel also reports that the administration of US President Joseph Biden sent Marine Corps General James Glynn, who commanded US troops during the battle for Fallujah in 2004, to assist the IDF in planning operations.
Exacerbation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict
On October 7, after a large-scale rocket attack from Gaza, fighters from the military wing of the Palestinian movement Hamas entered the southern regions of Israel and announced Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel.
Israel responded by launching Operation Iron Swords in Gaza. Within a few days, the IDF took control of all border settlements and began carrying out airstrikes in Gaza.
Israel also announced a complete blockade of the sector, cutting off supplies of electricity, water, fuel, food and medicine.
The death toll in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 5,000. In Israel, more than 1,300 people have died, according to authorities. About 150 Israelis are being held captive by Hamas.
