Tensions are running high with one Israeli official after another giving the go-ahead for the ground assault on Gaza. The exchange of fire between the two sides continues fiercely. In Gaza, shelling of Hamas targets has caused destruction at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyry with the death toll so far at 18. At the same time, the Israel-Hezbollah front has caught fire with fears of a spread of war lurking.

Hezbollah announced on Friday that it had struck a barracks housing Israeli soldiers. In fact, he talks about victims, while the Israelis confirm the attack with an anti-tank missile and say about a soldier who has been seriously injured and has been taken to the hospital. As they point out, the Hezbollah gunman was located in Israeli territory, where he had been hiding for hours, and was neutralized. At the same time, in the south there is a barrage of bombardment by Israeli artillery and air force. The IDF announced the neutralization of another Hamas enclave in the Gaza Strip, while there was also a major rocket attack towards central Israel and the northern sector of Tel Aviv.

At the same time, the hourglass for the full-scale invasion of Gaza is emptying. With a barrage of statements, Israel’s military and political leadership announces the attack.

The Israeli armed forces are in combat positions. Tanks and units are divided and deployed at the points of departure.

Israel’s war against Hamas has been designed by the military and political leadership to be implemented in three phases.

Israel’s military goals, according to Israel’s defense minister

Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Galand presented today the war plans and objectives of the Israeli military campaign in the Gaza Stripspeaking to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

According to the minister, Israeli war aims include the extermination of Hamas, through the destruction of its military and government capabilities, Israel’s complete abdication of all responsibility in Gaza, and the establishment of a new “security regime” in the Gaza Strip.

Gallant reported to the Committee members that the war would have three main phases.

“We are in first phasein which a military campaign is being conducted with (air strikes) and later with (ground) maneuvers aimed at (…) the destruction of Hamas,” the Defense Minister emphasized.

THE second phasehe stressed, fighting will continue but at a lower intensity as troops work to “eliminate pockets of resistance”.

“THE third phase will be the creation of a new security regime in the Gaza Strip, Israel’s abdication of all responsibility for daily life in the Gaza Strip, and the creation of a new security reality for the citizens of Israel and the residents of the area surrounding Gaza.” , he emphasized.

‘We are fighting for our existence’, say Israeli forces – New video ahead of Israel’s operation in Gaza

Video before operation in Gaza uploaded by IDF on Twitter. “We defend our homes, our people, our very existence” says their spokesperson.

“We fight for our existence,” IDF Spokesperson LTC (Res.) Jonathan Conricus. pic.twitter.com/0c9nkuGqAs

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 20, 2023

“We defend to prevent, to ensure that the atrocities that took place on October 7th will never happen again. Our starters, reserves, they are all real people. Lawyers, electricians, teachers, sons, daughters, fathers and mothers,” he emphasizes.

“Many of us have lost loved ones. We have left everything behind to fight on the front lines and defend our families. We have no choice but to fight for our safety and existence. We will defeat Hamas in battle and help southern Israel prosper again.” completed.

Watch SKAI’s travelogue on the Israel-Gaza border:

SKAI’s envoys to Israel, Stavros Ioannidis and Apollonas Darmas, arrived outside the Gaza Strip