Israeli army operations within the Gaza Strip “will escalate”, the nation’s chief army spokesperson has warned, as troops push deeper into area.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated Israel Defence Forces (IDF) troops are deployed alongside the northern border and “prepared for any scenario”.
Dozens of militants had been killed in a single day, he added, however he refused to substantiate the placement of the bottom forces after social media footage appeared to indicate tanks advancing on a most important highway in Gaza.
Israel-Gaza newest: IDF in ‘direct contact’ with Hamas
Israeli advances put their forces on either side of Gaza City and surrounding areas of the north, in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to as a “second stage” within the warfare.
“Our activities and operations will continue and escalate according to the stages of the war,” Mr Hagari stated.
“This is an expanded ground operation into the strip. Ground forces, tanks, infantry forces, armoured corp forces are moving towards the terrorists.
“The terrorists grouped collectively in sure areas to attempt to goal our forces and we assault them from the air, that is how we managed to assault and goal 20 terrorists.
“There is also direct contact between the ground forces and the terrorists. The fighting is going on inside the Gaza Strip.”
In different key developments:
• A German-Israeli girl kidnapped from a music competition by Hamas fighters has been discovered lifeless, Israel’s international ministry says
• A 25-year-old man is in a crucial situation after a stabbing in Jerusalem, in line with medics
• Anti-Israel protesters stormed a runway in Russia, reportedly chanting antisemitic slogans and searching for passengers on a flight from Tel Aviv
• British residents trapped in Gaza ‘might be classed as hostages’, a minister suggests
UN and medical employees warned airstrikes are getting nearer to hospitals, the place hundreds are wounded and tens of hundreds have sought refuge.
According to UN figures, about 117,000 displaced persons are staying in hospitals alongside hundreds of sufferers and employees.
Meanwhile, talks to free the 239 hostages held by Hamas because the group’s 7 October assault in Israel have stalled, in line with NBC News, Sky’s US companion community.
The report refers to a former US official with information of the negotiations, who stated the militant group had demanded Israel permit gasoline deliveries into Gaza.
‘Tank blocks key escape highway’
As Israel presses forward, video obtained by the Associated Press reveals an Israeli tank and bulldozer in central Gaza.
They look like blocking the territory’s most important north-south freeway, which the Israeli army had instructed Palestinians to make use of to flee the continued floor offensive.
Asked if forces had been on the highway, Mr Hagari stated Israel has “expanded” operations however wouldn’t touch upon particular deployments.
The video reveals a automotive approaching a barrier throughout the highway, earlier than turnings round.
The tank seems to open fireplace because it heads away and an explosion units the automotive on fireplace.
The Gaza Health Ministry later stated three individuals had been killed, and now reviews greater than 8,000 Palestinians have died in complete.
More than 1,400 individuals have died on the Israeli facet, in line with the nation’s authorities, with primarily civilians killed throughout Hamas’ preliminary assault.
Source: information.sky.com”