The Israeli army has deployed all of its regular infantry and armored brigades to the Gaza Strip, The Times of Israel reported.
According to media reports, the enclave currently includes units from the Givati, Golani, Kfir, Nahal brigades, paratroopers, commandos, troops from the 7th, 188th and 401st armored brigades, as well as “a certain number of reservists“.
These forces are concentrating to further intensify military operations in the sector, notes The Times of Israel.
Earlier, the Israeli army said that five brigades were operating in Gaza during the new large-scale ground operation “Gideon's Chariots“. According to The Times of Israel, they number tens of thousands of soldiers.
On May 18, the Israeli army announced the start of military operations in the northern and southern regions of the enclave as part of a large-scale ground operation called “Gideon's Chariots“. Its stated goal is the final defeat of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas and the release of all Israeli hostages held in the enclave. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that after the operation, the army plans to take control of the entire Gaza Strip.