Israel launches "Ofek 19" for espionage in preparation for the critical phase in Gaza

In a complementary step to its military plans regarding the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the launch of a new advanced satellite into space, named "Ofek 19".

The satellite was launched from the "Palmachim" base in central Israel, making it the latest addition to the "Ofek" series of military reconnaissance and surveillance satellites.

The satellite "Ofek 19" features advanced capabilities including synthetic aperture radar, allowing it to perform high-resolution imaging operations under all conditions.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the satellite is primarily dedicated to gathering military intelligence and spying on sensitive sites, as it will undergo the next series of tests to assess its safety and performance in Earth's orbit.

This satellite is part of the "Ofek" series that was first launched in 1988, and is used by Israel to monitor Arab territories and gather intelligence for the Israeli army.

Israel's future plan is expected to include the deployment of 20 satellites of this type, in conjunction with early warning systems to monitor missile launches and identify hostile military positions.

In the same context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a video message to soldiers of the Israeli army in regular and reserve service, emphasizing that Israel is engaged in "a stubborn and just war by all standards".

He focused on the fact that the goal of the war remains the defeat of Hamas, noting that the army has made significant progress in the battle and affirmed that "what began in Gaza must be resolved in Gaza".

Netanyahu continued by stating that the attack that began in Gaza will expand until complete control of the city of Gaza, despite warnings from some military officers about the consequences of this campaign.

Alongside these movements in space, tens of thousands of Israeli reserve soldiers have begun to join the ranks of the army, with around 40,000 reserve soldiers expected to enlist in the coming days, in preparation for the next phase of the attack on the city of Gaza.

The Israeli army announced its logistical preparations to accommodate the volunteer soldiers, with assurances that the army will achieve a "decisive victory" in the coming period, and will not stop the war until this goal is achieved.

In the backdrop of these military movements, the internal conflict in Israel continues over the best strategies to deal with the Gaza Strip.

In a meeting of the security cabinet, disputes renewed between Netanyahu and some ministers who are calling for an acceleration of the attack on the city of Gaza, and between Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who warned that the campaign would endanger the lives of hostages and put the army in a difficult position, at a time when the army is suffering from significant depletion.

Zamir emphasized the necessity of reaching a ceasefire agreement before a new escalation.

These discussions are considered an important point of contention, as a poll showed that many reserve soldiers are dissatisfied with the government's strategy regarding Gaza, with some confirming a lack of a clear plan for after the war.

Despite these warnings, the Israeli army announced that it is ready to achieve a "decisive victory" in Gaza, and it seems that matters are heading towards a new military escalation in the sector in the coming days.

The launch of "Ofek 19" into space, alongside the movements of the Israeli army in Gaza, reflects a clear escalation in military operations against Hamas, at a time when political and military pressures on Netanyahu's government are increasing.

While the Israeli army continues its preparations on the ground and in space; the political and military arena remains filled with internal and external challenges.