Israeli general tells mayors to prepare for weeks of fighting

Pro-Palestinian protesters burn an Israeli flag during a demonstration against Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip in Sanaa on Nov. 16. Photo by REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

Israel’s Home Front Command reportedly has instructed municipalities around Gaza to prepare for a fighting period of up to seven weeks.

The news site Ynet reported Friday that GOC Home Front Command Eyal Eisenberg told subordinate officers and mayors of southern and central municipalities to prepare for “up to seven weeks of fighting.”

On Friday, the third day of Israel’s operation Pillar of Defense in Gaza, thousands of Israel Defense Forces troops arrived at military bases in Israel’s south for possible preparation for a ground incursion into Gaza. Hundreds of military trucks arrived carrying munitions, fuel, water and equipment alongside tank carriers and army jeeps in roads around the Gaza Strip, Ynet reported.

IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz has called up 16,000 reserve troops. On Thursday, Israeli Interior Minister Eli Yishai said a ground incursion was “definitely an option.”