Armed Forces minister James Heappey said Israel faced the “devil’s own choice” in its determination to defend itself against the terror group while also seeking to minimise civilian casualties.
He stressed that delaying a ground assault into Gaza would only allow Hamas more time to “melt away”, and move rocket and ammunition stocks, and then the risk for the offensive is that “all of this comes to nought” after the terror group’s Islamic State-style slaughter of more than 1,300 Israelis.
Israel has very sophisticated intelligence gathering capabilities which should allow it to prosecute its mission “with precision”, he argued. But former soldier Mr Heappey added on ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “That is not to say, however, that there are not going to be some incredibly grim scenes on our TV scenes over the next few days and weeks.”
He insisted that Israel was doing everything it could practically do to reduce civilian casualties, with its direction to a million people in Gaza city and the strip’s north to move to the south, which he accepted was very difficult for those forced to move. But the death toll of Palestinians in Israeli attacks in recent days has already risen above 2,700, according to health chiefs in Gaza, with whole buildings flattened. As the horrors of the conflict were growing:
This story is from the October 16, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 16, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
