Israeli authorities, on Thursday, ordered troops to be prepared for a ground invasion of Gaza just as new explosions rattled Southern Gaza.
This, however, came as French authorities on Thursday, evacuated eight airports following fears over bomb and antisemitic attacks, even as the United States ordered a review of security in its embassies worldwide following protests rocking Arab capitals over the war between Israel and Hamas.
Protests had gripped Arab capitals, notably, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Syria including United States, United Kingdom and France.
Some of the protests were either pro-Palestine or pro-Israel even as Israel maintained the Gaza Hospital bombing was the result of a misfired rocket by terror group, Hamas.
There were also new explosions in Southern Gaza, where 13 people were killed.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, told Israeli infantry soldiers on the Gaza border to be ready for a ground invasion.
He urged the ground troops to “get organised, be ready” for an order to move in, saying, “Whoever sees Gaza from afar now, will see it from the inside. I promise you.”
Meanwhile, in a worldwide alert issued on Thursday, the US State Department warned Americans across the globe “to exercise increased caution” because of “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”
The State Department, earlier this week, raised its travel alert for Lebanon to “do not travel” citing increased tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran.
Conversely, President Biden, has appealed to the American people to continue funding Ukraine and Israel.
“President Biden plans to make a direct appeal to the American people to continue funding Ukraine and Israel amid their war efforts in an Oval Office address Thursday, according to two administration officials.
“The primetime address will take place on the eve of the White House’s requesting more than $100 billion from Congress to deliver aid and resources to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and the U.S. border with Mexico.
“Biden is expected to make the argument that supporting Ukraine and Israel is a matter of U.S. national security when the world is at an inflection point.
“He’s going to make the case that the cost of inaction and the cost of walking away is much higher,’ according to one official.
Nevertheless, Palestinians have continued to await humanitarian aid as Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals tried to stretch out ebbing medical supplies and fuel for generators, as authorities worked out logistics for a delivery of aid from Egypt.
Doctors in darkened wards across Gaza stitched wounds by the light of mobile phones, and others used vinegar to treat infected wounds.
The Israeli military has relentlessly attacked Gaza in retaliation for a devastating Hamas rampage in southern Israel almost two weeks ago.
Even after Israel told Palestinians to evacuate the north of Gaza and flee south, strikes extended across the territory, heightening fears among the territory’s 2.3 million people that nowhere was safe.
Kingsley Nwezeh
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