The Israeli army has massed dozens of tanks and armored vehicles along the border with the southern Gaza Strip in what appears to be preparations for an invasion of the border town of Rafah. This was reported by an Associated Press journalist who saw the movement of military vehicles today near the Israeli Kerem Shalom crossing, near Rafah.

The decision to proceed with the advance to Rafah, where there are currently around one and a half million Palestinians, was taken by the war cabinet of the Jewish State, determined to eliminate what is considered the last "bastion" of Hamas.

Tel Aviv's choice, however, encounters opposition from its US ally. The United States has repeatedly reiterated its opposition to the operation and has repeatedly tried to convince Israel that "there are other ways to strike Hamas".

The USA itself has brought together a coalition of 18 countries to demand "the immediate release of all hostages in Gaza" as a precondition "for reaching a ceasefire". Together with the USA, France, Germany, Great Britain and 14 other nations of the 25 nations that have their citizens in the hands of Hamas have joined the initiative.

(Unioneonline/lf)

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