What can Israel gain from a Gaza ground offensive?

Defeat of Hamas may be off the cards, but Israel hopes to achieve a more limited victory

Israeli soldiers walk to their deployment area on the border with Gaza
(Image credit: MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images)

Yesterday afternoon, a "comprehensive ceasefire" between Israel and Hamas seemed imminent. Many commentators were therefore caught off guard when, a few hours later, the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a ground offensive in Gaza.

Tanks and soldiers were being sent to the Gaza Strip to deal "a significant blow to Hamas", Israeli officials said.

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