Israeli army preparing for escalation on two fronts: officer

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are preparing for possible escalation on both Palestinian front and northern front, IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said Tuesday.

Ashkenazi made the remarks during a drill at the Shizafon army base south of Israel.

The chief of staff was quoted by Yedioth Ahronoth as saying that he did not know whether the security situation in the region would deteriorate to war, but the army should "improve its readiness and fitness, while continuing to fight terror."

Regarding the northern front with Syria, Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz, who also attended the exercise, said, "We have no intelligence indicating that Syria is interested in starting a war." However, he added, "I hope that the escalation in words does not bring about an escalation in reality."

Early Tuesday morning, Israeli forces withdrew from southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah but reinforced military massing north and the east of the Strip, raising fears of a large-scale ground offensive.

Reconnaissance planes were also flying over the area, where was often used by Palestinian militants to fire rockets into Israel.

Army sources said that military raids will continue to be launched in Gaza in the future, aiming at providing the IDF with a military advantage in places where the air force was unable to operate.

Source: Xinhua