Israel says ready to invade Gaza; bombs Syrian army sites
What's the story
Israel is ready to invade Gaza, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief-of-Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said on Tuesday, adding that they were coordinating with the political rung to finalize the exact timing for the invasion.
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) called for a ceasefire, which Israel rejected and demanded Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's resignation after he said Hamas attacks "did not happen in a vacuum."
Context
Why does this story matter?
The Jerusalem Post called Halevi's statement the loudest acknowledgment of the criticism of the IDF and Israeli government for delaying their ground offensive after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, triggering the ongoing war.
Since then, Israeli airstrikes have killed 5,791 Palestinians, as per the Palestinian health ministry, while Israel said the death toll on its side remained at 1,400.
Statement
Israel at height of war with Hamas: Halevi
Halevi said, "At this stage, there are tactical and strategic factors which are allowing us more time to improve and to exploit every minute to be more ready."
He said Israel is at the height of its war with Hamas, which is regretting starting the war.
He said the IDF and its Southern Command are preparing high-quality attack plans to win the war.
Syria
Hit Syrian army infrastructure: Israel in response to rockets
The Israeli military said it struck Syrian army infrastructure and mortar launchers early on Wednesday in response to two rockets launched toward Israel from Syria on Tuesday, Reuters reported.
Israel also bombed Jenin in the West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, targeting Palestinian gunmen shooting at Israeli soldiers, resulting in the deaths of at least three Palestinians, The Times of Israel reported.
UN
Palestinians living under 56 years of suffocating occupation: UN chief
Addressing a special Security Council session on the war, Guterres stated, "The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation.
"They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements...their economy stifled; their people displaced...homes demolished."
Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, said Guterres is not fit to lead the UN as he shows no understanding of the ongoing war.