A short while ago, Israel started the second phase of its war on Gaza. A large number of tanks moved in from the southeastern part of Gaza, advancing towards the west.
They are now close to a junction that connects various parts of Gaza. If they reach and take control of the junction, they will effectively divide the south and north of Gaza, significantly hampering the movement of people.
Israeli forces issued a warning instructing people not to travel between the south and north of Gaza. Sources have also reported tanks moving from the northern part of Gaza toward Gaza City.
Iranian-backed fighters in Iraq have warned the US military to leave the country “immediately” or US bases in the region will come under attack, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reports.
Rocket and drone attacks have hit US bases in Iraq and Syria in recent days, and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq – which analysts describe as a network of armed groups linked to Iran – has claimed responsibility for most.
The group said its attacks and ultimatum for US forces to leave is retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel as well as a warning for the US to not intervene in Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, AP reports.
“These are only warning messages to them, and serious work has not yet begun,” the groups said in a statement.
The statement concluded by saying that if Israel launches a ground invasion of Gaza, “watch the border with Jordan carefully”. It did not elaborate.
