NBC: Israel builds up forces near Gaza border ahead of possible ground invasion Satellite Images Show

Commercial satellite images reveal that the Israeli military is building up troops and equipment near the Gaza border, signalling preparations for a potential new ground operation, according to three U.S. officials and a former official who reviewed the imagery.

The troop movements indicate signs of an imminent large-scale offensive, Caliber.Az reports, citing NBC News.

Early on August 8, Israel’s security Cabinet approved a plan to take control of Gaza City, the Associated Press reported, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. This plan stops short of a full Gaza occupation that Netanyahu had previously discussed.

If launched, the operation could focus on rescuing hostages held by Hamas and expanding humanitarian aid in areas outside the fighting, the U.S. officials and an Israeli source said. Israeli forces have conducted intermittent ground operations in Gaza since October 27, 2023, pausing during ceasefires.

On August 7, Netanyahu stated, “We intend to, in order to assure our security, remove Hamas there, enable the population to be free of Gaza and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel. That’s what we want to do.” When pressed on whether Israel would control the entire 26-mile Gaza Strip, he said, “Well, we don’t want to keep it. We want to have a security perimeter. We don’t want to govern it.”

The military buildup occurs amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Israel. On July 28, a private call between Netanyahu and President Donald Trump devolved into shouting over humanitarian aid concerns. Trump contradicted Netanyahu’s claim that “There is no policy of starvation in Gaza. And there is no starvation in Gaza,” stating he had seen images of hungry children and insisted “real starvation” exists.

Netanyahu privately told Trump that starvation was fabricated by Hamas, but Trump interrupted, rejecting this and saying his aides had proof of children starving.

The dispute led to a visit last week by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to seek a unified approach. Israeli officials welcomed Witkoff, using the visit to explain their challenges and respond to criticism of the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF).

The GHF, operating since May at limited distribution sites, faces criticism due to restricted access and reports of over 1,000 Palestinians killed while seeking food, according to the UN. The UN runs a separate aid network in Gaza.

Witkoff briefed Trump on his meetings with Israeli officials and hostage families. Asked about a possible Israeli occupation of Gaza, Trump said, “I really can’t say. That’s going to be pretty much up to Israel,” adding he is focused on feeding the people. A White House spokeswoman said, “President Trump is focused on returning all the hostages and getting the people in Gaza fed.”

With a new ceasefire elusive, Israel doubts Hamas will negotiate hostage releases and sees a military offensive as the likely option. International pressure is rising, with countries like the UK, France, and Canada considering recognising Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

“It seems like we are at a brick wall, with countries saying they are recognising Palestine,” said a source familiar with Israeli talks. “Now all ideas are being exhausted.”

A Western official warned that the offensive is risky, given Hamas’s strong defences and fears that hostages might be killed or used as shields.

Israeli forces reportedly know where the hostages are, believed to be in central Gaza. Referencing a recent video of an emaciated Israeli hostage digging his own grave in a tunnel, one source said, “Looking at the condition of hostages, it’s clear that they don’t have much more time.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev