Over One Million Driven Out from Gaza as Israel Prepares for Ground Attack

Over one million people in the northern Gaza Strip have been compelled to leave their homes since Israel began its bombing campaign against the Palestinian group Hamas and is all set for a ground assault.

Armoured vehicles of the Israeli military have gathered on the outskirts of Gaza for a ground-based assault.

US President Joe Biden has warned Israel that a long-term Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip “would be a big mistake”. Biden has also proposed a trip to Israel.

Israeli authorities have said that any ground offensive on Gaza would depend on a “political decision”. In preparation for a potential attack, Israel, along with the combined might of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israeli Air Force (IAF), has deployed over 400,000 reservists.

The continuous bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 2,670 people, including over 700 children.

Israel also faces the daunting challenge of rescuing around 150 hostages who are believed to be kept in tunnels and underground bunkers by Hamas.

The Arab League and African Union have issued stark warnings about the dire consequences of a ground offensive by Israel. Israel also faces the possibility of a separate war on its northern border with Lebanon after artillery fire exchange with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.