Israel Prepping for Possible Invasion of Gaza Strip; Egypt Backs Palestinians
Violence continues to escalate between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The cease-fire ended on Wednesday when a strategic missile strike by Israel killed Ahmed Al-Jaabari, the 52-year-old military leader of the Islamist group Hamas. The attack marked the largest attack effort in recent years sparking new acts of violence.
The Islamist group sent retaliatory rockets into Israel that could be heard from the capital of Tel Aviv on Thursday.
The death toll from the recent violence has killed three Israelis and around 21 Palestinians.
Air raid sirens started on Friday in Jerusalem after days of retaliatory rocket strikes from Hamas, according to CBS News.
Israel responded to the rockets by sending air strikes against key Hamas targets and strengthening their naval blockade against the Gaza Strip.
Troops, tanks and other armored vehicles have begun moving toward the Gaza Strip border for a possible invasion into Palestinian held territory.
According to Fox News, Defense Minister Ehud Barak authorized the Israeli army on Thursday to draft reserve forces for possible activity in Gaza. This could mean an additional 30,000 troops could possibly be drafted.
There has been no decision as of yet from Israeli leadership for group forces to enter the Gaza Strip, but it is likely that more air strikes will continue to target Hamas strongholds.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is prepared to "take whatever action is necessary."
Tensions between Israel and Hamas hit a high during a conflict in 2008-2009 which claimed the lives of around 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis.
Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham Kandil traveled to the Gaza Strip on Friday and delivered a message to the people saying:
"The Egyptian revolution will make every effort and make sacrifices to stop this aggression and to achieve a truce and ensure that it continues, to achieve the equitable peace and to establish a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. This is the only way that we will achieve stability in the region."
Both Syria and Iran have supported the Islamist group Hamas in its struggle against Israel who has blockaded the Gaza Strip in an effort to stop illegal arms trafficking.
