Israeli TV Channel Seven said Saturday that the Israeli army is preparing for a new and close escalation with the Gaza Strip at the end of next October.
"The Southern Command is preparing to resume the escalation at the end of October. This is the exact date for the forces to prepare," said Lt. Col. Itay Zaafarani from the 74th Brigade of the Southern Brigade of the Israeli Channel Seven.
Zafarani added, "The situation in the Gaza Strip could change in an instant, so we must always be fully prepared, alert and prepared," noting that the Israeli army´s preparations for the resumption of escalation stem from "a series of events that may affect the political situation."
Zaafarani explained that among these events is the deterioration of the health situation in the Gaza Strip after the outbreak of the new Corona virus (Covid-19).
In addition, it is expected that Qatari funds will run out at the end of next month, and street pressure will push Hamas to return to launching balloons and missiles at Israeli towns bordering the Strip.
Zafrani indicated that the residents of the Gaza Strip live in a state of increasing frustration with the normalization agreements between Israel and Gulf countries recently, pointing out that this frustration may push Hamas "to escalate and explode the situation."
