ISTANBUL

Satellite imagery from commercial sources reveals that the Israeli military is amassing troops and equipment near the Gaza border, potentially in preparation for a new ground invasion of the Palestinian territory, according to three current US officials and one former official who reviewed the images, NBC News reported late Thursday.

The images depict movements and formations of forces that all four sources identified as indicators of a likely large-scale ground offensive.

The troop buildup comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Israel following a heated private phone call between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that reportedly ended in shouting over the issue of humanitarian aid.

It remains uncertain whether Israel genuinely plans to launch a new offensive in Gaza or if the buildup is meant as a negotiation strategy or a form of pressure.

If another military operation does take place, it may involve attempts to rescue hostages held by the Palestinian group Hamas and to increase humanitarian aid delivery in areas not affected by the fighting, according to three US officials and a source familiar with Israeli deliberations.

Israeli ground operations in Gaza have been ongoing since Oct. 27, 2023, with interruptions during two ceasefires.