Israel’s strike on Gaza ‘has been delayed until next week because of bad weather, with new rules making it easier for IDF troops to shoot enemies’ in invasion that could last 18 MONTHS

Israel’s troops have been given more freedom to shoot at potential enemies in Gaza, according to a report, and could be ordered to spend 18 months in the enclave going door-to-door to root out Hamas.

A Hamas officer told The New York Times they intended to ambush the Israeli troops from behind once they entered Gaza, jumping out of hidden tunnels.

Senior Israeli officials told the paper that the ground invasion was due to have begun already, but has been delayed due to bad weather preventing aerial cover.

The delay has given Palestinians living in the densely-populated enclave more time to flee. 

Israel Defense Forces said they will only commence ‘significant military operations’ in Gaza once all civilians have evacuated, a spokesperson told CNN.

‘It’s really important that people in Gaza know we’ve been very, very generous with the time. We have given ample warning, more than 25 hours,’ said Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus.

‘I cannot stress more than enough to say now is the time for Gazans to leave.

‘Take your belongings, go south. Preserve your life, and do not fall into the trap that Hamas is setting up for you.’

But they have nowhere to go: on Saturday, photos emerged showing Egyptian forces blockading the border crossing into Egypt with concrete slabs.

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