U.S. influenced Israel's plan for Gaza ground operation - Bloomberg

According to the agency, during the first days following the Hamas attack, Israeli military officials indicated that they would carry out "coordinated strikes from the air, sea, and land" to eliminate militants in the Gaza Strip. However, several days later, representatives of the Israel Defense Forces began to suggest that the ground offensive might differ from their initial expectations, with a delayed start and a longer duration.

Three unnamed high-ranking Israeli officials reportedly informed Bloomberg that the U.S. role in Israel's war against Hamas is "deeper and more intense than any exerted by Washington in the past."

The U.S. government shares Israel's goal of destroying the military infrastructure of the militants in the Gaza Strip. U.S. and Israeli representatives agree that this can only be achieved through a ground invasion, as the Palestinian group "has spent decades building networks of tunnels and other emplacements."

According to agency sources, the U.S. is determining the methods of the attack and its timing. The U.S. also aims to limit civilian casualties among the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.

Israel's war with Hamas

On October 7, Hamas militants invaded Israeli territory, prompting Israel to initiate operations against Hamas. The next phase could be a ground operation in the Gaza Strip.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have previously conducted raids into the Gaza Strip, during which a group of terrorists was eliminated. However, Israeli soldiers have not entered deep into the territory.

Additionally, on October 19, Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, promised IDF troops that they would soon "see Gaza from the inside." According to reports, Israel has given the green light for the deployment of troops into the Gaza Strip.