JERUSALEM

The Israeli army Saturday declared its readiness to “widen the scope of the offensive” against the Gaza Strip following the deployment of its forces across all the regions for an expected “comprehensive ground operation.”

“We are gearing up to expand the offensive. Various units and defense forces are strategically positioned across the entire nation, with heightened readiness and preparations for the forthcoming phases of the conflict, notably the extensive ground operation,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

It further said: “The Israeli Defense Forces are making preparations through extensive logistical efforts and the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers to execute operational attack plans of diverse natures, including preparedness for comprehensive, simultaneous operations encompassing air, sea, and land.”

The statement also emphasized: “Simultaneously, the ground arm and the technological and logistics affairs authority are diligently preparing the defense forces in anticipation of an expanded theater of combat.”

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces a week ago launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip, a response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began last Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel, a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

Over 3,600 people have been killed since the outbreak of the recent fighting on Oct. 7, including 2,215 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala