The Israeli army announced Thursday that it is about to begin a ground operation in the Gaza Strip, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials expected a difficult and long battle with the Palestinian resistance.

The Israeli military spokesman said in a press conference in Tel Aviv that tens of thousands of soldiers are fully prepared to begin ground entry into Gaza.

The military spokesman added that the army has confirmed information about 203 Israelis detained in Gaza and about 100 missing persons.

He added that no aid has entered Gaza yet, and that the army will announce that it will allow it to enter the Strip when the political leadership takes a decision to do so.

For his part, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said, addressing his soldiers on the Gaza Strip borders, “You see Gaza now from afar, and soon you will see it from within. The order will be issued,” indicating that the Israeli ground attack is imminent.

Gallant added that the potential battle on land would be long and difficult.

Shortly after the Defense Minister's statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a video clip in which he appeared with the forces near the border and promised them victory.

Netanyahu said during a press conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that the war in Gaza will be prolonged.

The Israeli Defense Minister addresses his soldiers gathered near the border with the Gaza Strip (Anatolia)

Green light

Meanwhile, the American ABC network quoted an Israeli official as saying that the Israeli army had received the green light from the Israeli government to move towards Gaza.

For his part, Commander of the Southern Brigade of the Israeli Army, Yaron Finkelman, said that his forces are waging a war against what he described as a “fierce enemy,” in reference to the Palestinian resistance.

Winkelmann added that the maneuver will now be transferred to enemy territory despite the difficult situation, and that his forces will win, as he put it.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday evening that the Israeli army was preparing to move ground into the Gaza Strip, after US President Joe Biden left Tel Aviv yesterday, Wednesday, at the end of a visit in which he renewed his country’s support for Israel.

In contrast to the Israeli statements, the Palestinian resistance confirmed that it was prepared for a long battle, and that it would turn the sands of Gaza into a graveyard for the Israeli occupation forces.

Despite repeated statements about the approaching ground operation, reports indicate that Israel is hesitant to enter the Gaza Strip for fear of suffering a setback after the blow it received when the Palestinian resistance launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.