Israel Orders More #Evacuations Amid Fears of Conflict Widening
As Israel readies its troops for a #GroundInvasion of #Gaza, escalating clashes on its border w/ #Lebanon & violence in the Israeli-#occupied#WestBank raised fears the conflict could spill over.
#Israel on Sunday issued a formal #DeclarationOfWar against #Hamas & pounded #Gaza w/ strikes, promising retaliation for an unprecedented attack by the #militant group that surprised Israeli #security forces. The #DeathToll has risen to 600 in Israel, & thousands have been injured…, while Palestinian authorities said ≥370 were killed & 2,200 injured in Gaza.
The authorization of #war by the Israeli cabinet would allow the govt to carry out a wider #mobilization of #military reserves & use more military options. It also compels the govt to identify specific #WartimeObjectives, raising the specter of a #GroundInvasion of #Gaza.